P: Unable to view/import video(s) from SD card within Lightroom Mobile iPad app (import screen)

[Foster301071193wir]

I can no longer import videos from an SD card in Lightroom Mobile on my iPad. I’m running Lightroom version 9.1.0 on iPad OS 17.2. I am able to import photos from a connected SD card, but the videos on the SD card don't even show up. Can anyone help with suggestions on how can I import photos & videos together again via the Lightroom Mobile app from an SD card? I have a workaround, but it requires downloading all files onto my iPad prior to importing into Lightroom. I was last able to do a combined photo/video import from an SD card in late November 2023.

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I'm running into dead ends with Adobe support. Thanks! 

[Charlie.D · Accepted solution]

Direct Import from "Connected camera/card" does not support video import.  Videos will not appear in the file picker.  I don't think this is new behavior.

As a workaround, try Direct Import via the "Files" option, and then navigate to the folder on the attached storage/SD/Camera were videos reside.

[Foster301071193wir]

Thanks for the feedback @Charlie.D! I used the "Connected camera/card" option previously, so that's where my confusion lies. The "Files" option is a good workaround and does address duplicate entries, I think, or at least in a couple of small tests. Viewing in the "Files" option in a list format by "Name" and then grouped by "Date" seems to give a similar option to what you see in the "Connected camera/card" option, just not as visually appealing.

One question I have, which I haven't dove too much into yet; will multiple attempts to import the same file in the same album result in duplicate files in any way? I tried importing the same file twice and although the pop-up notification said that one file was successfully uploaded both times, only the first attempt changed the count in the album and all photos; I'm assuming that there just isn't logic in the notification po-ups to say that file already existed in the library/album. 

Thanks for the feedback as this comes after many hours with the Adobe support team on the same topic! I appreciate your feedback as I hadn't tried the "Files" option as I was trying to get back to the functionality that worked before, sounds like in error, but either way, your solution helps me do the imports all in one.

[AlexJz]

Just a question: is there a limitation to import video on any Lightroom platform, including PC, or is this just an iPad thing?
I've actually lost a small video to this, and I would hate to learn this just impacts iPad due to developer laziness.

[Charlie.D]

@AlexJz 

In the Lightroom tab, go to an album or All Photos, then tap on the small blue import button at the bottom right and choose Add photos from > Files.  Unlike choosing "Connected camera/card," the Files option let's you use the iOS Files interface to browse the contents of your SD card, and there you can select videos. 

If you have a Lightroom Mobile subscription, you can also use the Lightroom Web app in any web browser.  Importing is as simple as drag and drop with any modern web browsers, signed into your account at https://lightroom.adobe.com  The dedicated LR Desktop apps for Mac and Windows can also import video.

[davidg89696589]

Currently I can't load video from an sd card directly to Lightroom mobile on iPad.  For now the only workaround is to first load video to my Photos app, and then load to Lightroom. 

The problem with this workaround is it takes up precious storage on my iPad. If I could directly load video to my iPad, it would be stored on the Lightroom cloud.

Please fix!!  Thanks

[Matt38590921ni7g]

I'm having the exact same problem, and the same workaround is all I'm finding as you. I have a 1 tb so its

fine for now but not long term. Fix this Lightroom!