DCIM folder empty

See this Apple article: Transfer photos and videos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Transfer photos and videos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your Mac or PC - Apple Support

I don't understand why the DCIM folders are empty, here:

Check AV app(s), turn it Off.

Try to transfer the photos to a destination folder on the PC.

(this works on a Windows OS 10 computer):

Set iPhone Auto-Lock to Never.

Connect iPhone to computer via USB cable.

Click on 'Allow' on iPhone (when asked).         

Go to start on PC

Click on the Photos app

Click 'Import' at the top right of the screen.

Select 'From connected device'.

Then select Apple iPhone

The Import Items screen opens.

Photos from iPhone appear on screen

Select the photos you want to move to your file by clicking the small square in the photo.

Indicate the folder you want to move them to under 'Change destination'.

And then click 'Import' at the bottom of the blue area. After which the photos will be placed in the folder you chose.

That is because photos on the iPhone are not designed to be viewed on a Windows computer in File Explorer. The link provided allows you to import the photos from the iPhone to the computer using the Photos app in Windows. Once you have imported the photos from the phone, you can view them on the computer.

I followed the steps outlined in the article. Yet I am still not able to view the photos. Please help