DCIM structure

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Level 1

4 points

DCIM structure

I arrived here because I wondered about the logic behind the DCIM file structure. Thanks to Mr Finch, I am now "happy" to just leave it as "obscure". My wife uses Apple devices and loves them. They are not at all intuitive for me, so I use Windows. However, as a useful husband, I am supposed to look after backing up all her photos. Locally, I mean. She will not go near the Cloud. I have an engineering degree, but give up on iTunes. I do find it so easy to simply plug in her iPad to my computer, treat it as an external device, and download the contents of the DCIM folder. Got to remember to empty the DCIM folder, though. Have not been bothered by the latest updates, because her old iPad will not take them. And I am not surprised to read that Apple seem to have used the public to test their "improvements" for them. Why mess with things that work?

Posted on Jan 11, 2022 8:25 PM

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Answer 1

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,351 points

Jan 12, 2022 2:43 PM in response to Bunyip2

Part of the issue is the way that you are removing the photos from the devices. iOS and iPadOS is not designed for you to access the file structure from Windows File Explorer and cut, copy, or move the images. It is designed to let Photos in Windows to import the photos. It is a difficult thing to do and I believe it is just one of those things that Apple and Microsoft seem to disagree with. Another issue you can find is if you try to do it the way that Apple says you should, using Photo program in Windows, you will also see that a mix of photos and videos will mess things up as well. I finally gave up and purchased a SanDisk iXpand Mini Flash drive that has a lightning port on one end and a USB-A port on the other to move photos with. I also just purchased a MacBook Air, and may just move all the photos with it.

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Answer 2

Bunyip2 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 13, 2022 2:41 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

Horses for courses, I think. Some years ago my wife went the Apple route and downloaded her photos to her MacBook Pro of the day. The more she stored, the more the spinning beachball showed up. Eventually (that's not long in her case) she lost patience, refused to go further along the Apple route - i.e. pay money, get the latest upgrade/device, and do it their way - and I landed the job of "fix it". My way was to use my machine where everything is either a .jpg or a .mov file (or junk), I can put it where I want, and it stays there. No, I don't use any Windows (or other) photo programme, I just treat eveything as a file and it works for this family.

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Answer 3

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,351 points

Jan 13, 2022 3:15 PM in response to Bunyip2

Okay, that is fine, I'm just saying this is the way that Windows wants you to deal with the photos on the iPhone. They have made significant changes to how photos are managed in Windows 10 and use the Photos program in Windows. Unfortunately, this is how the world seems to work nowadays, where you can share and work on things, but it is not always the easiest and removing files with Explorer on the computer can actually damage the file structure for photos on the phone. Have a nice day.

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Answer 4

Jan 11, 2022 9:36 PM in response to Bunyip2

Hi Bunyip2, thank you for posting in Apple Support Communities.

The DCIM (Digital Camera Images) file structure dates back to 2003 as a way to standardise digital file formats and interoperability between digital camera manufacturers and devices that include camera's such as smartphones.

And I can understand the reluctance to use iCloud but I think the benefit of iCloud, at least from my own perspective, is really 'peace of mind' in that if for any reason my iPhone is unable to be used, I know that my photos (sentimental/personal), and any other important documents that I might use the device for, are still available in iCloud and I haven't lost them forever.

https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/ipad/ipad2161498f/ipados

Of course there is still the ability to backup the iPad (regularly) which may be another option you could consider.

https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/ipad/ipad9a74df05xx/15.0/ipados/15.0

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Answer 5

Bunyip2 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 12, 2022 2:24 PM in response to ShortBlack6857

Hi ShortBlack6857 and thanks for your interest. I am sure that the Cloud works fine for most of the people, most of the time. But at the end of the day, it is just some one else's computer. I prefer to use my own computer, backed up to an external hard drive. My curiosity was about Apple's file structure within the DCIM area. For instance (on our old iPad) Apple 101 will have 1 image in it, then Apple 102 will have 743 images, then it moves on to Apple 104. It does not really matter - just curious

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Answer 6

Jan 12, 2022 2:54 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

I can remember doing this years ago now and thought the APPLE101 etc were date based but that would not explain the missing numbers. And it is the same for Android e.g. ANDRO101... and back then it never peaked my interest.

But I appreciate you mentioning it because I would rather know now even if just to close the knowledge gap I had no interest in years ago https://www.jeita.or.jp/japanese/standard/book/CP-3461B_E/#target/page_no=1

Thank you.

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Answer 7

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,351 points

Jan 13, 2022 9:10 AM in response to ShortBlack6857

You're welcome.

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DCIM structure

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