Having a standardized DCIM format helps computers and picture-transfer apps automatically identify photos saved in the camera, on the memory card, or your mobile phone. Your photos taken by the camera will be stored in these subfolders with names consisting of a four-digit alphanumeric code & a four-digit number for instance, DSC_0001.jpg.There can be multiple subfolders within a DCIM folder and each of them is made up of a unique three-digit number (from 100 to 999) & five alphanumeric characters for instance, 100APPLE and 100ANDRO.Why is there a DCIM folder on the memory card?Īccording to the DCF specification, a digital camera must store its photos (and video files) in a “DCIM” folder.

DCF is always the standard for the digital camera industry. To understand that, you must get to know DCF (Design rule for Camera File system) first.ĭCF is a JEITA specification (number CP-3461) used to define digital cameras’ file system – the file format, metadata format, directory structure, character set, and file naming method – to guarantee interoperability. Now, the DCIM meaning is clear to you, but you don’t know there should be a folder named DCIM to store the photos and videos. What is Windows.old folder? How to recover data from it? The main function of the DCIM folder is to store the photos and videos captured by a certain camera. You can see the folder in File Explorer if you connect your mobile photo to a computer. Also, a DCIM folder is created automatically on any Android photos or iPhone devices by the Camera app (the screenshots taken by your phone will also be saved in DCIM). What Is DCIM FolderĪ DCIM folder is a folder created automatically by a digital camera on the memory card (SD card is used frequently). It’s a directory name in the Design rule for the Camera File system, being part of the digital camera file system. What does DCIM stand for? The item DCIM is actually the acronym of Digital Camera Images. MiniTool Solution offers some useful ways to help you fix the problem. However, there are some issues related to this folder: the DCIM folder is missing, the DCIM folder is empty, the DCIM folder is not showing photos, etc. When you connect your mobile phone to a computer, you can see a DCIM folder in File Explorer that stores your digital camera files (photos and images).

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