Q:"Why is iPhone DCIM folder empty when plug to computer? The DCIM folder doesn't come up." - Lian from Apple Community
Q:"I accidentally deleted crucial photos from my iPhone DCIM folder on my desktop. Is there any way I can recover the files I deleted?" - Jimmy from StackExchange
Frankly, this problem, DCIM folder empty, is encountered or experienced by many people. Those who know must be familiar with the details. Usually, there is a directory, part of the file system for a digital camera, named DCIM (Digital Camera Images), which stores camera roll photos and videos for our phones. However, as reported above, sometimes your iPhone DCIM folder is empty when connect to computer. Or you may delete photos from this folder but get no way to find and access later. How to solve and recover? This post is here to extricate you from the hassle.
- Part 1. Possible Solution to Show Photos in DCIM Folder
- Part 2. Recover Empty DCIM Folder Photos from iPhone
- Part 3. Recover Empty DCIM Folder Photos from iTunes Backup
- Part 4. Recover Empty DCIM Folder Photos from iCloud Backup
Part 1. Fix iPhone DCIM Folder Empty to Find Photos
As a rule, as soon as your iPhone is recognized by the computer, you can go to the DCIM folder and view the photos from iPhone. Nevertheless, there is an exception where the local disk shows an empty DCIM folder. If this has a lot to do with your computer not having enough access to folder, you might as well try the following method to Reset Location & Privacy.
Step 1: Start from "Settings" on iPhone and go to "General" > "Reset";
Step 2: Find and click "Reset Location & Privacy" option at the bottom to reset;
Step 3: Connect iPhone to computer and authorize by confirming "Trust This Computer";
Step 4: Once it's recognized and shown in local disk, click to go for "Internal Storage" > "DCIM".
iPhone DCIM Folder Photo Recovery - Joyoshare iPhone Data Recovery
If you happen to delete or can't find the photos you need in DCIM folder from iPhone, try Joyoshare iPhone Data Recovery. With it, you can make it a breeze to scan deleted DCIM folder photos from iPhone directly. Or go further to extract lost photos from iTunes and iCloud backups. Importantly, this mighty tool is able to let you preview not only photos but also other data in real time and selectively get them back.
Key Features of Joyoshare iPhone Data Recovery:
Recover permanently deleted photos from encrypted backups
Convert HEIC to JPG and support HTML & CSV formats
Restore 20+ data with 3 modes in sundry situations
Scan data fast without occupying too much disk space
Give permission to preview before recovery and selectively choose
Part 2. How to Recover Empty DCIM Folder Photos - No Backup
Make sure your phone is working properly under this recovery mode. Then, depending on your situation, download the version you need from Joyoshare iPhone Data Recovery official website. Once all is ready, you can set down to troubleshooting iPhone DCIM folder empty issue as follows:
Step 1 Plug iPhone to computer
Run program, Joyoshare iPhone Data Recovery, on your computer. You will be placed in the "Recover from iDevice" mode by default. Next, connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable. Click "Trust" if you are required to do it.
Step 2 Mark and scan iPhone photos
You have right to see the device info about your iPhone and all supported data types after the connection. Now go to the right section to choose types you need, like "Photos", "App Photos", etc. and readily start "Scan".
Step 3 Preview and recover DCIM photos to computer
All the recoverable files will be classified in the results page when the scan is over thoroughly. You can then take yourself to the left column to preview photos stored in DCIM folder. Just mark the items you want selectively and save them to your computer with "Recover" at the bottom right.
Part 3. How to Recover Empty DCIM Folder Photos - iTunes Backup
Don't despair if it's not practical to directly recover DCIM folder photos from iPhone. Make certain whether you have iTunes backups that keep the deleted photos and move on steps below to continue.
Step 1: No iPhone is needed this time and you just begin with "Recover from iTunes" mode on Joyoshare iPhone Data Recovery;
Step 2: The program effectively and intelligently lists the local iTunes backups it detects. Get one, elect data types in gear "Setting" and initiate "Scan";
Step 3: Filter to quickly find the DCIM folder photos you want and press "Recover" to export them to computer.
Part 4. How to Recover Empty DCIM Folder Photos - iCloud Backup
Whether iPhone DCIM folder empty problem persists and no ways you can use viably? Consider your iCloud backups and recover photos by referring to the quick guide here.
Step 1: Straightly start Joyoshare iPhone Data Recovery, login iCloud account and complete two-factor authentication;
Step 2: Select the appropriate backup file from the list displayed to scan;
Step 3: Check and choose if there are DCIM folder photos you desire. Next, hit the "Recover" button to transfer to PC or Mac.
