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One way to transfer photos taken with your iPhone to your computer is to connect it to your computer using a cable and transfer it. However, sometimes using this method, the DCIM folder that should contain the photos is not visible. All I get is “This folder is empty”. How should we deal with this situation? Here in this article we will explain in detail six reasons and solutions when the DCIM (Photo) folder is not displayed in your iPhone internal storage, so please read until the end.

table of contents:
Part 1: Reasons why DCIM folder is not showing in iPhone internal storage
Reason 1: USB cable is not connected properly.
Reason 2: System glitch
Reason 3: The iOS version of your iPhone is outdated.
Reason 4: The DCIM folder is set to hidden
Reason 5: iPhone Storage Optimization function does this
Reason 6: iPhone photo format is HEIC/HEIF

Part 2: What to do if DCIM folder is not displayed in your iPhone internal storage
First solution: Reconnect the USB cable
Solution 2: Restart your computer
Solution 3: Update your iPhone to the latest version
Solution 4: Check the DCIM folder settings on the computer side

Part 3: What to do if only some photos are displayed in DCIM folder
Solution 5: Change iCloud settings
Solution 6: Transfer images using professional software
Solution 7: Convert image format to JPG/JPEG/PNG

Part 1: Reasons why DCIM folder is not showing in iPhone internal storage

Reason 1: USB cable is not connected properly.
If the DCIM folder does not appear in your iPhone's internal storage folder, it may be due to poor USB cable connection. If the connection is not accurate, the computer will not recognize the iPhone. Of course the DCIM (image folder) is not displayed on the computer.

Reason 2: System glitch
Sometimes, due to a system glitch or temporary errors, Windows cannot recognize your iPhone. You may not even be able to find your iPhone's name, let alone the DCIM (Photos) folder.

Reason 3: The iOS version of your iPhone is outdated.
If your iPhone's iOS version is outdated, there is a high possibility that Windows does not recognize your iPhone due to a system glitch or poor compatibility.

Reason 4: The DCIM folder is set to hidden
If you don't see the DCIM folder in your iPhone's internal storage, it's possible that the DCIM folder was originally set to be hidden. Please check hidden files.

Reason 5: iPhone Storage Optimization function does this
Optimize iPhone Storage is a feature that allows you to use your iPhone storage space efficiently. When you turn on this feature, iCloud will automatically save and some saved photos will be deleted from your iPhone, so only DCIM folder or some photos will be shown.

Reason 6: iPhone photo format is HEIC/HEIF
iPhones with iOS 11 or later save photos in the smaller HEIC/HEIF format, but HEIC/HEIF files are not displayed on your computer. Therefore, only the Pictures folder or some pictures are displayed.

Part 2: What to do if DCIM folder is not displayed in your iPhone internal storage

First solution: Reconnect the USB cable
If “This folder is empty” is displayed in your iPhone's internal storage folder:

Step 1: Disconnect the cable, unlock the iPhone screen, then try to connect the iPhone to the computer with the cable again.

Step 2: When your iPhone asks you to “Trust this computer,” tap “Trust.”

Step 3: Open “PC”, click “Apple iPhone” in the device list on the left, open the “Internal Storage” folder, you should see the “DCIM” folder.

If “DCIM” is not yet displayed, try the same procedure again using another usable cable.

Solution 2: Restart your computer
Most temporary system problems can be resolved by restarting the system. So, if your iPhone name or Photos folder is not displayed, try restarting your computer.

Solution 3: Update your iPhone to the latest version
The steps to update iOS are as follows:

Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone and tap General → Software Update.

Step 2: If an update file is provided, download and install it, and the update will be completed.

Solution 4: Check the DCIM folder settings on the computer side
Also, if the DCIM folder is hidden in PC settings, the DCIM folder will not be displayed in the internal storage. So, we will give you the steps to check DCIM folder settings.

Step 1: Click the PC icon displayed on the desktop, open “Apple iPhone” in the device and drive list on the left, and select the “Internal Storage” item.

Step 2: Select “Show/Hide” item from the top menu.

Step 3: Check “Hidden files”.

Part 3: What to do if only some photos are displayed in the DCIM folder in your iPhone internal storage

Solution 5: Change iCloud settings
If only some photos are displayed in iCloud Photos settings, there's a good chance that iCloud Photo Optimize is working. Next, we'll give you the steps to turn off Optimize iPhone Storage.

Step 1: Open Settings and go to iCloud → Photos from your username.

Step 2: Change the item to “Download original” in iCloud Photos. The optimization feature is now turned off.

Solution 6: Transfer images using professional software
If you tried to import iPhone photos to your computer, but the DCIM folder still does not appear even after using the above method. In such a case, how about a new way to transfer photos to computer? Here we recommend AnyTrans, a professional iPhone data manager.

Because AnyTrans:

1. Freely transfer data to computers and Apple devices without restrictions

2. The transfer method is free, and you can transfer at once or selectively.

3. It is a professional iOS manager that can also extract, backup and manage data selectively.

4. No USB cable required, simply connect your computer and smartphone to the same Wi-Fi network to transfer.

5. Compatible with the latest iPhone 16 series

If you can't copy photos to computer using iPhone internal storage, why not use AnyTrans to transfer photos to computer? The operating procedure is easy and does not require any specialized knowledge!

Download AnyTrans for free:https://reurl.cc/rvVm3x

Step 1: Download and launch AnyTrans.

Step 2: Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable, click the “Photos” item on the home screen, then click “To Computer”.