2024 Guide: Fix Error “This Folder is Empty” When Connect iPhone to PC

Many of us love to take in data to our mobile devices such as photos, videos, messages, and a lot more. The tendency is our mobile device might run out of storage easily. This goes especially to iPhone users.

Yes, the iPhone storage get easily filled up especially if you have tons of photos and videos saved on your device. Why? Because photos and videos are considered to be one of the biggest space eaters on your iPhone device.

So, what we do is to have our iPhone device connected to our computer to have some of our data from the iPhone transferred over. But there are times that when you try to open up your DCIM folder, you get an error message saying “this folder is empty” on your iPhone device.

You may be wondering about why the contents of your folder do not show up on your computer. Well, we have the answer to your questions. We are going to share with you in this article on solutions for how you can fix this error.

Before We Fix This Folder Is Empty Issue on iPhone:

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For you to fix the error by yourself, we have also gathered some great ideas and solutions below.

Part 1. Why Does "This Folder is Empty" Error Happens When Connecting iPhone to PC?Part 2: Ways on How to Fix “This Folder is Empty” iPhone DevicePart 3. Video Guide: How To Fix Error “This Folder is Empty” on iPhonePart 4: The Easiest Way to Transfer Camera Photos from iPhone to PCPart 5: Conclusion

Part 1. Why Does "This Folder is Empty" Error Happens When Connecting iPhone to PC?

The error happens because of several reasons such as virus or malware infection, damaged device drivers, hardware issues, file system corruption, and a few other common issues.

We have some great fixes for you to see the content of the folder of your iPhone device when connected to your computer. Read below.

Part 2: Ways on How to Fix “This Folder is Empty” iPhone Device

Solution #1: Trust the Computer

If this is the first time your iPhone being connected to the computer, you will need to unlock your iPhone and “Trust this computer” to allow the computer get access through your iPhone data.

Otherwise, you may see that your DCIM folder is empty when you click on it.

In this case, here is what you need to do:

Step 1: Connect your iPhone device to your computer using an USB cable.

Step 2: Unlock your iPhone device. You may enter the passcode.

Step 3: You will see a notification on your iPhone device’s screen. Tap on the “Trust” option.

Step 4. Go to your computer and try to refresh it.

Step 5: Click on your DCIM folder. The data that it contains should then be showing up on your screen.

Solution #2: Get Photos from iCloud Library

If your iCloud Photos are turned on in your iPhone, then all of the photos will be automatically saved on your iCloud storage, instead of saving on your iPhone. This can be one reason why you can't see any of the photos when you connect your iPhone to a computer.

To fix this, do the following steps:

Step 1: On your iPhone, launch the Settings app.

Step 2: Select on iCloud and then select Photos.

Step 3: Select on the option “Download and Keep Originals”. This way, your photos will be saved to your iPhone.

Step 4:Connect your iPhone to your computer again and check on the DCIM folder if it now contains your photos or videos.

Solution #3: Reset the Location and Privacy Option

Another way to solve this concern is resetting your Location & Privacy options under Settings. Here is what you need to do.

Step 1: On your iPhone, launch the Settings application.

Step 2: Tap on General > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy. Then, enter your passcode.

Step 3: Choose on Reset Settings to confirm the changes.

Once you are done with all the given steps above, connect your iPhone to your computer and check for your DCIM folder. Now you may see the photos and videos that the folder contains.

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Solution #4: Re-install Your iTunes and Other Software from Apple

Uninstall your iTunes and some other Apple software on your computer and reinstalling them is another way to get this concern fixed. As per the instruction of Apple, it is best to uninstall them by this order:

1. iTunes
2. Apple Software Update
3. Apple Mobile Device Support
4. Bonjour
5. Apple Application Support 32-bit
6. Apple Application Support 64-bit

Before you re-install these programs on your computer, you have to make sure that they are fully uninstalled. Same goes with all of the files or data that is related to them.

Solution #5: Restart your iPhone Device

If you found out your iPhone internal storage is empty, or your DCIM folder is not available, then another way to fix it is by restarting your iPhone.

Here are how to restart your iPhone depending on the model.

For iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X and later models

Quickly press the Volume Up button and the Volume Down button. And then, press and hold the power button of your iPhone device. Once you see the Apple logo shows up on your screen, release it.

For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

Press and hold the Power button and the Volume down button at the same time. Release both buttons when you see the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S or Older Models

Press and hold the Power button and the Home button at the same time. Then release both buttons once you see the Apple logo appear on your screen.

Solution #6: Get Photos from iCloud Website

Now, if you want to have your photos transferred to your computer and you have synced them using iCloud, then there is one efficient way for you to do so. And this is by accessing the iCloud website using your computer.

To do so, here is what to do.

Step 1: Make sure you have turned on iCloud Photo Library on your iPhone.

Step 2: On your computer, access www.iCloud .com and log in to the iCloud account using iCloud name and password.

Step 3: Choose all of the photos that you would like to transfer over to your computer.

Step 4: Click on the Download button and all the chosen photos will be saved on your Download folder on the computer.

Part 3. Video Guide: How To Fix Error “This Folder is Empty” on iPhone

Part 4: The Easiest Way to Transfer Camera Photos from iPhone to PC

Here is a quick and easy way to resolve the error message “this folder is empty” when transferring data from your iPhone to computer, which is using alternative program to move your camera photos to your computer easily and quickly - using FoneDog Phone Transfer.

Using FoneDog Phone Transfer, you will be able to selectively or wholly transfer your photos, messages, videos, music, and contacts from iPhone to PC. It also supports data transferring among iOS, Android, and PC.

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Here is a quick guide to use the new FoneDog Phone Transfer.

Step 1: Get FoneDog Phone Transfer

You can download FoneDog Phone Transfer for free from the official website of the FoneDog and have it installed on your computer.

Step 2: Plug Your iPhone Device to PC

Start running the program. Then, have your iPhone connected to your PC using an USB cable. Then wait for it to detect your iPhone device.

Step 3: Choose File Type

You will see the file type that this program supports on the left pane of your screen, such as Photos, Music, Videos, Contacts, and Messages.

From there, choose the data type you want to transfer.

Step 4: Choose Data to Transfer

Choose all of data or files that you wish to transfer. You can click on each data one by one, or sort them out by date to easily find the data.

Step 5: Transfer Your Photos and Videos

Click on the Export to PC icon located at the top of your computer screen.

All you have to do now is to wait until the process is finished.

Part 5: Conclusion

As you can see, it is very easy to resolve when you get the message “this folder is empty” when you try to connect your iPhone device and transfer your files or data from your iPhone to your computer. There are also some ways on how you can do so and one of which is by using the FoneDog Phone Transfer.