CardReader
The simplest way to get rated and locked photos off your memory card and onto your Mac.
Insert your SD card, and CardReader finds your starred and protected images automatically. Pick a destination, hit Copy, and you're done. No catalogs, no import wizards, no waiting around.
Key Features
- Smart Filtering — Finds images by star rating, lock status, or both
- Auto-Detect — SD cards and USB drives appear instantly when connected
- Auto Import — Insert a card and images copy automatically, then eject (Pro)
- RAW Support — Import ARW, NEF, CR2, CR3, and HEIF alongside JPG (Pro)
- Duplicate Detection — Skip previously imported files automatically
- Overwrite or Keep Both — Choose how to handle existing files at the destination
- Photostream — Stream photos to editors in real time as you import. Resilient upload queue with automatic retry, customizable quality, and network-adaptive concurrency.
- Private by Design — Local imports stay on your Mac. Photostream uploads only when you connect to an event.
Photostream
Photostream delivers your photos to editors the moment you import them. Join an event with a code, and every image you import streams to the editor's gallery — with your name, camera info, and EXIF metadata intact.
- Resilient uploads — Persistent queue survives app restarts. Automatic retry on network issues.
- Adaptive speed — Dynamically adjusts concurrent uploads based on your connection speed.
- Customizable quality — Upload full originals or optimized versions with configurable resolution and compression.
- No duplicates — Previously imported files are never re-uploaded.
Photostream is free to use for photographers. Connect with a join code provided by your editor at photostream.platt.ing.
Screenshots
View screenshots
Pricing
Free to download. Import up to 20 JPG images per session for free.
Standard — $4.99/month or $49.99/year. Unlimited JPG transfers and auto-eject.
Pro — $7.99/month or $79.99/year. Everything in Standard plus RAW + HEIF support, Auto Import (insert card → copy → eject, hands-free), and locked image detection.
Both plans include a 7-day free trial.
Privacy Policy
Effective date: May 15, 2026
This policy describes how Platt Solutions, LLC ("we", "us") handles information in the CardReader application ("App") for macOS.
Data Collection
CardReader does not collect personal data for advertising, analytics, or tracking purposes. We do not have user accounts or profiles.
What Stays on Your Device
All data created or used by CardReader's local import features remains entirely on your Mac:
- Image files read from removable drives (SD cards, USB drives)
- Files copied or moved to your chosen local folder
- User preferences stored in macOS UserDefaults
- Security-scoped bookmarks for folder access permissions
- A local SQLite database tracking previously imported filenames to avoid duplicates
Photostream (Optional Feature)
When you choose to connect to a Photostream event, the following data is transmitted to our servers (photostream.platt.ing):
- Your display name (chosen by you when joining)
- Imported photos (resized/compressed per your quality settings, or full originals if selected)
- Photo metadata: camera model, lens, ISO, aperture, shutter speed, focal length, capture time, and photographer name (extracted from EXIF)
- A join code to identify the event session
Photostream uploads only occur when you explicitly connect to an event and have uploads enabled. You can disconnect at any time, and no further data is transmitted. Photos are stored on our servers for the duration of the event and are subject to the event organizer's retention settings.
Third-Party Services
Apart from Photostream (when enabled), CardReader does not send data to any third party. No analytics SDKs, crash reporters, or ad networks are included in the App.
Subscriptions
Subscription status is verified through Apple's StoreKit framework. We do not operate any external server for subscription validation. We do not have access to your payment information — all billing is managed by Apple.
Children's Privacy
We do not knowingly collect any information from anyone, including children under 13.
Changes to This Policy
If we update this policy, the revised version will be posted at this URL with an updated effective date.
Questions or Comments
If you have questions or comments about this privacy policy, please contact david [at] platt.ing.
Terms of Service
Effective date: May 15, 2026
These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the CardReader application ("App") developed by Platt Solutions, LLC ("Company", "we", "us"). By using the App, you agree to these Terms.
License
We grant you a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the App on any Apple-branded products that you own or control, as permitted by the Usage Rules set forth in the Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions.
Description of Service
CardReader is a macOS utility that imports photos from removable drives (SD cards, USB drives) to a local folder on your Mac. The App also includes Photostream, an optional feature that uploads imported photos to a shared event gallery hosted at photostream.platt.ing.
Subscriptions
Certain features require an active subscription. Subscriptions are managed entirely through Apple and the Mac App Store. Billing, renewals, and cancellations are governed by Apple's terms. We do not process payments directly.
User Responsibility
You are solely responsible for your files, including maintaining backups. CardReader copies or moves files at your direction. We are not responsible for any data loss, corruption, or unintended file modifications that may occur during use.
Disclaimer of Warranties
The App is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.
Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall Company be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of data, profits, or goodwill, arising out of or in connection with your use of the App.
Apple Acknowledgement
You acknowledge that these Terms are between you and Company only, not with Apple. Apple has no obligation to furnish maintenance or support for the App. Apple, and Apple's subsidiaries, are third-party beneficiaries of these Terms and may enforce them against you.
Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. The revised version will be posted at this URL with an updated effective date. Continued use of the App constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.
Contact
Questions or concerns about these Terms can be directed to: david [at] platt.ing
End User License Agreement (EULA)
This Agreement is a legal agreement between you ("User") and Platt Solutions, LLC ("Company") for the use of the CardReader application ("App") on macOS. By using the App, User agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Acknowledgement
User acknowledges that this Agreement is concluded between User and Company only, and not with Apple, and that Company, not Apple, is solely responsible for the Licensed Application and the content thereof.
License Grant
Company grants User a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the App on any Apple-branded products that the User owns or controls and as permitted by the Usage Rules set forth in the Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions.
Maintenance and Support
Company is solely responsible for providing any maintenance and support services with respect to the App. User acknowledges that Apple has no obligation whatsoever to furnish any maintenance and support services with respect to the Licensed Application.
Warranty
Company is solely responsible for any product warranties, whether express or implied by law, to the extent not effectively disclaimed. In the event of any failure of the App to conform to any applicable warranty, the User may notify Apple, and Apple will refund the purchase price for the App to that User; and, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Apple will have no other warranty obligation whatsoever with respect to the App.
Product Claims
User acknowledges that Company, not Apple, is responsible for addressing any claims relating to the Licensed Application or the User's possession and/or use of it, including: (i) product liability claims; (ii) any claim that the Licensed Application fails to conform to any applicable legal or regulatory requirement; and (iii) claims arising under consumer protection or privacy legislation.
Intellectual Property Rights
User acknowledges that, in the event of any third-party claim that the Licensed Application infringes that third party's intellectual property rights, Company, not Apple, will be solely responsible for the investigation, defense, settlement, and discharge of any such claim.
Legal Compliance
User represents and warrants that (i) they are not located in a country subject to a U.S. Government embargo or designated as a "terrorist supporting" country; and (ii) they are not listed on any U.S. Government list of prohibited or restricted parties.
Developer Contact
Questions, complaints, or claims should be directed to: Platt Solutions, LLC — david [at] platt.ing
Third Party Terms
User must comply with applicable third-party terms of agreement when using the App.
Third Party Beneficiary
User acknowledges and agrees that Apple, and Apple's subsidiaries, are third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement, and that upon acceptance of these terms, Apple will have the right to enforce this Agreement against the User as a third-party beneficiary thereof.