Trying to download photos from phone to laptop but laptop says folder is empty

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Level 1

4 points

Trying to download photos from phone to laptop but laptop says folder is empty

I've plugged my phone into my laptop with a view to downloading photos from my phone onto my laptop. I've done this a million times without any problem but when I've tried it today it's telling me my photo folder on my phone is empty. It's not ... there are loads of photos on it which I can access in the normal way on my phone. Why is my laptop not seeing them ? I've updated iOS, I've tried a different cable, a different laptop, I've re-authorised the laptop, I've confirmed that I "trust this computer" ... still nothing. Still showing "this folder is empty". Any ideas ?

iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 18

Posted on Aug 8, 2025 08:10 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 8, 2025 08:17 AM in response to z1000jeff

It's not the "laptop" that sees things in the phone; it's the app that you use. Can you give us more information?

What app are you using?
What kind of computer are you using?
Are you using iCloud Photos to synchronize your devices? If so
…Do you have “Optimize Storage” checked in Photos’ Settings
…Do you see all your iPhone pictures at iCloud.com?
…Do you have more than 10% free storage on your iCloud account?
Do you have more than 10% free storage on your iPhone?

If this is on a PC, I may not be much help, but this information will be needed others…

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Answer 2

z1000jeff Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 8, 2025 08:32 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

I plug my phone into my Dell laptop. I press windows/E and up pops everything that's on the laptop.

Under "This PC" the "Apple iPhone" appears. I click on that and up pops "Internal Storage" with a bar showing how much is used (right now its 18.8GB free of 119 GB). In the past I've clicked on that and it shows all the photos that are on my phone. For some reason today it showing "This folder is empty". Before today I haven't changed or messed with any of my settings so I don't understand why all of a sudden my laptop can't access my photos like it usually can. Can't imagine it's got anything to do with iCloud. I do have photos on iCloud but I never touch them or even look at them on iCloud.

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Answer 3

Aug 8, 2025 08:50 AM in response to z1000jeff

You ought to look at this:

Transfer photos and videos from your iPhone or iPad to your Mac or PC - Apple Support

Using Explorer is not recommended. I'm surprised it used to work.

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