What Is DCIM? What Does DCIM Stand for? [Beginner Guide] (2024)

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What Is DCIM?

The Digital Camera Images Folder, often known as the DCIM Folder, is the folder that stores images and pictures on almost all electronic devices, including mobile phones, digital cameras, tablets, and so on. When you browse the folders on your device using a PC, you will most likely find images taken with your device camera stored in the DCIM folder.

These images will be stored in the "Camera" subfolder of the DCIM folder. In some instances, you may also find "Facebook" (maybe you should learn how to download and backup Facebook photos in advance) and "Restored" (for images restored from Google Photos) subfolders within the general DCIM folder. It is expected that all of your photographs will be stored in the DCIM folder of a smartphone. Something like Photos or Images would be much more apparent and simpler to notice, but the choice of DCIM is intentional and serves a purpose.

What Does DCIM Stand for?

One of the files preinstalled on your Android smartphone is called DCIM, which stands for Digital Camera Images. All photographs taken using the Camera on your phone will be saved in this folder. It includes any screenshots you have taken on the device in question.

The Gallery app pulls all your photographs from this folder when it is opened. This is the folder responsible for holding the majority of the different kinds of photographs available on your device.

Inside this primary folder, you will discover several subfolders. These subfolders are primarily Camera, which stores the photographs taken with your Camera; screenshots, which store the screenshots you have taken; album names, which store the photographs you have taken for each of your albums; and Thumbnails.

The DCIM folder could be located on the internal storage of your phone, or it might be on the external storage of your phone, depending on the construction of your phone.

Conclusion

If you are unsure of what the camera folder on your device is for, the information that was just shown to you should be able to explain what DCIM stands for and how you can access the folder. It also helps you uncover a hidden folder that consumes an excessive amount of your memory space and allows you to remove the folder to make more room.

FAQs

What Is DCIM? What Does DCIM Stand for? [Beginner Guide]? ›

One of the files preinstalled on your Android smartphone is called DCIM, which stands for Digital Camera Images. All photographs taken using the Camera on your phone will be saved in this folder.

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What is the full meaning of DCIM? ›

Data center infrastructure management (DCIM) is the convergence of IT and building facilities functions within an organization.

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What does DCIM mean on my phone? ›

DCIM (Digital Camera Images) is a preinstalled folder on your Android device. When a picture is taken digitally, we save it as pixel values in the memory of a digital device such as a computer, mobile phone, or memory card.

What is the DCIM folder on my computer? ›

DCIM stands for Digital Camera Images, which probably helps this folder make a little more sense. Something like Photos or Images would be much more clear and easy to spot, but there is a reason for this decision.

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Is DCIM my SD card? ›

DCIM is short for “Digital Camera Images.” DCIM is a folder that is automatically created on the SD card by your camera. The camera use the DCIM folder to store the videos and photos captured by the camera.

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Is IT OK to delete DCIM? ›

No one can delete DCIM folder, that is not allowed. The DCIM folders fall under the internal storage of the iPhone. However, it is possible to view the photos in order to save the photos elsewhere and/or delete them. If you 'empty' all DCIM folders, you cannot delete them either.

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Why do we need DCIM? ›

DCIM software is used to monitor, measure, and manage data centres, covering both IT equipment and supporting infrastructure such as power and cooling systems. It is intended to help managers achieve maximum energy efficiency and to help prevent equipment problems that lead to downtime.

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Can DCIM be deleted? ›

DCIM stands for "Digital Camera Images". Once you delete the DCIM folder from your device, you are faced with terrible data loss. Generally, Android phones and iPhones store the DCIM folder in its internal storage while digital cameras save the folder on its memory card.

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What will happen if I delete thumbnails in DCIM? ›

Note: Deleting thumbnails may cause some apps to take a bit more time to load images and media as it needs to generate new thumbnails. However, it won't cause any harm to your device's functionality.

Where did my DCIM folder go? ›

On Android, DCIM folder is located in the internal memory of the smartphone while on camera it is usually saved in the camera SD card. You can also set your Android to save all the recorded pictures and videos of DCIM in the SD card, SDXC, microSD etc., used in the device.

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How do I view photos in DCIM? ›

How to View DCIM Folder Android

Step 2: Tap the Transfer photos or Transfer files button on your Android device.
Step 3: Press Win + E to open File Explorer.
Step 4: Look for the Android device icon on the left panel, then click on the Internal storage choice.
Step 5: Double-click on the DCIM folder.

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Apr 11, 2024

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Why does DCIM have so many folders? ›

There are many reasons why the iPhone will create additional DCIM folders. After a certain number of photos, it may create a new folder. Or if a different app is used to take the photos, it may create a new DCIM folder. Also, you can sync photos from your computer to your iPhone using iTunes.