Why does my DCIM folder show as empty when I connect my ipad to a PC?

Okay so this is the way which my phone got recognised and I could then see the DCIM folder in WINDOWS 8.1

I checked this video and made sure all of it was done: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq0LAiYAfSA

After trying everything in it, I opened iTunes on pc and then it asked that do you want this PC to trust the iphone, then i had select a Yes and then it waited for "Trust" from the iphone as it used to ask before. Inshort, Open itunes and it may now connect your iphone automatically

Hi,

I've been having this problem and tried everything (turn on/off/reset etc...) Forget all that. Non of it worked for me.

I have about 100 photos missing from a particular day which made no sense. So I went back into the photo and clicked on the 'edit' bit, thinking to change the file. When i did that, there was a black circle in the middle of the screen that said 'downloading' - it took a couple of seconds and then went. I cancelled the edit, plugged the phone back in and checked if it appeared on the computer - which it did!

Now going through the process with all the other photo's.

SH

I had exactly the same problem. It is simple to solve. When you plug your iPhone into your computer, the phone must be on and the screen unlocked. If you are connecting for the first time, the iPhone will ask if you want to trust the computer. Answer 'Trust'. The DCIM folder then can be opened and you will again see your pictures.

Hello there, Suzie Mid.

The following Knowledge Base article has the steps for you to be able to remove photos from your iPad:

iOS: Importing personal photos and videos from iOS devices to your computer

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4083

Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.

Cheers,

Pedro D.

Hi Suzie,

I had the same problem. Once plugged in to your PC make sure you hit the home button on your iPad to enable you to see the iPad home screen. You will be prompted with a message which asks if you wish to trust the connected device. Click 'trust this device' and after refreshing on your PC you should now see the photos in a folder within the DCIM folder.

Hope this helps,

Steve

Hi Suzie - I am curious whether you were able to solve this problem. I have exactly the same problem - a 'DCIM' file that shows up empty. Looking at the answers you received and having followed the instructions on from the Apple Support page - none of them seem to address the issue of an empty DCIM folder - would love to know if you got it solved. (I have over 1000 photos I want to transfer to a PC) - Kelly

Hi Kelly,

I had the same problem yesterday (empty DCIM folder). I deinstalled iTunes and all other Apple software (Apple Mobile Device Support, Apple software support, Bonjour, and Apple Software Update) from my Windows 8.1 laptop and then reinstalled iTunes. After that I could see my photos in DCIM.

Yours, S

Make sure it is UNLOCKED. Screen on, code entered, etc so you can see the home screen.

Once it locks, the file view disappears because of security.

I know this is an old question, but I personally found a solution, and this is still one of the top Google results when searching for this issue.

My equipment: iPhone 6S Plus, and Windows 7 Ultimate.

My fix: settings > Photos & Camera > "Download and Keep Originals" must be checked.

The alternative would be "Optimize iPhone Storage." When the "Optimize iPhone Storage" is selected, the full-quality originals are moved to cloud storage, and low-res mirrors are stored on the phone (this also means each time you want to play a video or look at an image, it has to briefly load into full quality). So if "Optimize iPhone Storage" is selected, then essentially your images and videos are not truly being stored on your phone, which is causing your DCIM folder to appear empty.

Thank you!

Thank you so much for answering this!

I agree, the empty dcim folder was not addressed anywhere in this thread. just the general procedures for getting to normally working dcim folders.

If iCloud photo library is enabled, it could also cause this, or the photo count to be substantially smaller.

This link works:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzsn-gAa8y4

That's it ✅ ! this was the problem in my case. Thank you !