diff --git a/libraries/SD/src/File.cpp b/libraries/SD/src/File.cpp
index 380298d1f8..2002f85129 100644
--- a/libraries/SD/src/File.cpp
+++ b/libraries/SD/src/File.cpp
@@ -95,6 +95,11 @@ int File::read(void *buf, uint16_t nbyte) {
   return 0;
 }
 
+size_t File::readBytes(char *buffer, size_t length) {
+  int result = read(buffer, (uint16_t)length);
+  return result < 0 ? 0 : (size_t)result;
+}
+
 int File::available() {
   if (! _file) return 0;
 
diff --git a/libraries/SD/src/SD.h b/libraries/SD/src/SD.h
index 38ad793598..9697d12923 100644
--- a/libraries/SD/src/SD.h
+++ b/libraries/SD/src/SD.h
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ class File : public Stream {
   virtual size_t write(uint8_t);
   virtual size_t write(const uint8_t *buf, size_t size);
   virtual int read();
+  virtual size_t readBytes(char *buffer, size_t length);
   virtual int peek();
   virtual int available();
   virtual void flush();