Import photos from storage devices and DVDs using Photos on Mac
If you have photos or videos saved on a hard disk or other storage device, you can import them into Photos.
Tip: If you want, you can first create a new empty album in the sidebar and then import your photos into it.
Import from a hard disk, optical disc or flash drive
You can import photos or video files from a storage device (such as a hard disk), a CD or DVD (if you have an optical drive), or a flash drive.
Important: Don’t eject a disc or drive while the photos are being imported.
Connect the device to your Mac.
In Photos, choose File > Import, then select the items you want and click Review for Import.
To set where to import the items, click the “Import to” pop-up menu and choose a location.
If you selected a folder that contains other folders, choose Library (you can’t import a group of folders into an album).
Do one of the following:
If you selected multiple photos or videos, click Import All New Photos or select the ones you want to import and click Import [number] Selected.
If you selected a folder of items that contains other folders organised in a way you want to maintain, select the Keep Folder Organisation tick box, then click Import All New Photos.
Imported photos appear in the Imports and Photos albums in the sidebar.
Tip: You can also import photos by dragging files or folders from the Finder to the Photos window or to the Photos icon in the Dock.
If you use iCloud, you can copy photo files to iCloud Drive from any Mac, iPhone, iPad or Windows PC you’ve set up to use iCloud Drive, and then import the photo files to your Mac from iCloud Drive. See Use iCloud Drive to store documents.
Import from a card reader or SD card
Some Mac computers have built-in SD card slots. If yours doesn’t, you can connect a device called a card reader that is compatible with your Mac and use it to import photos from a memory card, such as an SD or Compact Flash card.
Insert the card into your computer’s SD card slot or connect a card reader to your computer and insert the card into the card reader.
In Photos, choose File > Import, then select the photos or videos you want and click Review for Import.
If you selected multiple photos or videos, do one of the following:
Import all new photos: Click Import All New Photos.
Import a selection of photos: Click the photos you want to import, then click Import Selected.
If a message asks whether you want to delete or keep the photos on your card after importing them, click Delete Items or Keep Items.
Photos then imports your photos and videos. To cancel importing, click Stop Import.
When all photos have been imported, eject the card from your computer or card reader.
Imported photos appear in the Imports and Photos albums in the sidebar.
Some card readers may not be compatible with Photos. For more information, check with the device’s manufacturer.