Getting Started
If you are using a card reader, insert your memory card into the card reader and then plug the reader into your Mac via the Universal Serial Bus (USB) port.
Method 1: Finder
Finder is the file manager packaged with every copy of OS X that enables you to navigate your Mac's file system. With Finder, you can duplicate, move, rename, and delete files to keep your computer organized, as well as create new folders, and search your hard drive for a specific file or folder.
Step 1: Locate Your Device
Click the Finder icon in the Dock.
Locate your device under the Devices tab and then click to access.
Step 2: Highlight
Click Edit on the toolbar running along the top of the screen and then press Select All to highlight every single photograph on the device. Select All is also achievable by pressing the ⌘ and A key simultaneously on your keyboard.
Alternatively, if you do not wish to import all, you can individually highlight the images you would like to transfer by holding ⌘ and clicking the filename.
Step 3: Copy and Paste
Click Edit once again and then Copy (or ⌘ and C) to copy the highlighted images.
Navigate to the folder in which you would like to store your photographs, or create a new folder by right-clicking and pressing CTRL simultaneously, then
Select New Folder from the menu.
Click Edit and then Paste (or ⌘ and V) to copy your chosen images from your device to the selected folder.
Images may take several minutes to transfer depending on the file size and the amount of photographs you are importing.
Step 4: Eject
Once your images have transferred, click the Eject icon situated alongside the name of your device and then unplug the device from your Mac.
Clicking Eject will ensure that your device has been safely disconnected to avoid data corruption, which can lead to files being deleted or overwritten. It is good practice to eject every device connected to your Mac immediately after use as failure to safely remove a device is one of the most common causes of corrupted data.
Method 2: iPhoto or Photos
IPhoto is an Apple-developed image editing and management application that can organize your image collection by event, location or person using face recognition software. Imported images can be edited in-app and shared with friends and family via social media, slideshow, or even physical products such as greetings cards and calendars.
Step 1: Launch iPhoto or Photos
Click the iPhoto icon in the Dock.
Upon launch, your device will automatically be recognized and iPhoto will display every image in thumbnail form.
Step 2: Name
Give your group of images a name by typing in the Add Event Name field.
Step 3: Import
Click Import Photos to import every single image on your memory card, or highlight individual images and press Import Selected to import a selected few.
Your images will then import, which may take several minutes depending on the volume of files.
Once your images have successfully been imported, you will be given the option to keep or delete the imported files. Click Delete Items to erase or Keep Items to keep.
Step 4: View
Your newly imported images can be found under Events on the sidebar, categorised by event.
Step 5: Eject
Click Eject to safely remove your device.
Click the Eject icon situated alongside the name of your device on the Finder and then unplug the device from your Mac.