HT204597: If you can't import photos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your computer

Learn about If you can't import photos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your computer
dougfromch

Q: How to (re)load pictures from my iPhone to my computer

I recently uploaded pictures from my Iphone to my PC using the "Import pictures and videos using Windows."  I didn't like the way they uploaded, because it created a subfolder for every day I took a picture and then put the pictures in there.  All I wanted to do was to dump every picture into one folder (Pictures 2016, for example) with no subfolders.  That was problem #1.  So I deleted all the pictures off of the PC harddrive and was going to try again.  I still have the pictures on my Iphone, so no problem.  But now when I go to upload the pictures again it says "no new pictures or videos were found on this device."  As I said, the pictures are there, but I am presuming this is because the Iphone thinks (correctly) that I have already uploaded them.

 

So I have two questions:

1)  Can anyone tell me how to avoid the sub-folder problem described above?

2)  Can anyone tell me how I get the Iphone to recognize the pictures and upload them?

 

Many thanks

iPhone 6 Plus, iOS 9.3.2

Posted on May 20, 2016 11:04 AM

Close

Q: How to (re)load pictures from my iPhone to my computer

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by razmee209,Helpful

    razmee209 razmee209 May 20, 2016 11:33 AM in response to dougfromch
    Level 7 (32,899 points)
    May 20, 2016 11:33 AM in response to dougfromch

    dougfromch wrote:

     

    I recently uploaded pictures from my Iphone to my PC using the "Import pictures and videos using Windows."  I didn't like the way they uploaded, because it created a subfolder for every day I took a picture and then put the pictures in there.  All I wanted to do was to dump every picture into one folder (Pictures 2016, for example) with no subfolders.  That was problem #1.  So I deleted all the pictures off of the PC harddrive and was going to try again.  I still have the pictures on my Iphone, so no problem.  But now when I go to upload the pictures again it says "no new pictures or videos were found on this device."  As I said, the pictures are there, but I am presuming this is because the Iphone thinks (correctly) that I have already uploaded them.

     

    So I have two questions:

    1)  Can anyone tell me how to avoid the sub-folder problem described above?

    2)  Can anyone tell me how I get the Iphone to recognize the pictures and upload them?

     

    Many thanks

    1. Instead of having windows do the import for you - do it yourself and copy and past the pics to Pictures 2016.

    2. When you plug your phone to your computer it should see if as a camera, navigate to file explorer and open up your phone and navigate to your pics and copy and paste to the folders.

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu May 20, 2016 11:11 AM in response to dougfromch
    Level 6 (15,766 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 20, 2016 11:11 AM in response to dougfromch

    Yes and yes.

     

    1) If you want to avoid the subfolder issue, open File Explorer on your PC and then look for the phone, it will appear in the file structure on the left as a camera. Expand the subfolders under the phone until you see all the DCIM folders. The pictures are there and you can copy them where you like at will. This is not the ideal way of "importing" but it works.


    2) I can show you how to reset the RecentlyAcquired.db cache but it is not for the faint of heart. If you really want to know reply back.

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu May 20, 2016 11:20 AM in response to dougfromch
    Level 6 (15,766 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 20, 2016 11:20 AM in response to dougfromch

    For the #2 above you have to delete the "PreviouslyAcquired.db" file in Windows. Windows stores this info, not the iPhone. It is located at:

     

    C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Photo Acquisition\PreviouslyAcquired.db

     

    Unfortunately it is a hidden system file and you cannot get there by trying the path above. You have to changed the View to see Hidden and System Files which I do not recommend. However if you have Windows 10, there is an easier way, in Cortana type     %appdata%     and then back up from Roaming to Local and proceed to locate the file. After you delete it, reboot the computer, and you should be able to re-import the pictures again. The file recreates with each import and there is no easy way to do this.

  • by dougfromch,

    dougfromch dougfromch May 20, 2016 11:36 AM in response to razmee209
    Level 1 (9 points)
    iPhone
    May 20, 2016 11:36 AM in response to razmee209

    Thanks very much for the quick response.  A follow on question if I may.  One thing I valued about the import tool is that it would turn pictures to face in the right direction.  I had experimented with the windows explorer option that you describe and seem to recall it didn't solve for this issue and I then had to go in and manually change them.  Is there a way to solve for that?

  • by razmee209,Helpful

    razmee209 razmee209 May 20, 2016 11:41 AM in response to dougfromch
    Level 7 (32,899 points)
    May 20, 2016 11:41 AM in response to dougfromch

    dougfromch wrote:

     

    Thanks very much for the quick response.  A follow on question if I may.  One thing I valued about the import tool is that it would turn pictures to face in the right direction.  I had experimented with the windows explorer option that you describe and seem to recall it didn't solve for this issue and I then had to go in and manually change them.  Is there a way to solve for that?

    I've read that it is based on what your computer settings is or what program you use for pictures.  Sorry I don't know the exact solution for that.

     

    I used Microsoft office picture manager to view my pics and I have to manually go in and edit the pictures so it faces the right way.

  • by dougfromch,

    dougfromch dougfromch May 20, 2016 11:41 AM in response to razmee209
    Level 1 (9 points)
    iPhone
    May 20, 2016 11:41 AM in response to razmee209

    Holy cow this is fast - thanks so much!!

  • by razmee209,

    razmee209 razmee209 May 20, 2016 11:42 AM in response to dougfromch
    Level 7 (32,899 points)
    May 20, 2016 11:42 AM in response to dougfromch

    dougfromch wrote:

     

    Holy cow this is fast - thanks so much!!

    no problem.

  • by dougfromch,

    dougfromch dougfromch May 20, 2016 11:45 AM in response to elcpu
    Level 1 (9 points)
    iPhone
    May 20, 2016 11:45 AM in response to elcpu

    Thanks very much!

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu May 20, 2016 11:55 AM in response to dougfromch
    Level 6 (15,766 points)
    Photos for Mac
    May 20, 2016 11:55 AM in response to dougfromch

    You are welcome. And yes, unfortunately you will have to turn the pictures around manually, I have to do the same.