Can't see phone pictures on PC

[Pyro]

If you plug the phone into a USB port on the computer, you can open file explorer, select My PC, right click on the iPhone and select “Import pictures and videos.”

Does this allow you to retrieve the desired pictures?

[mike13]

It tells me no pictures or videos were found on this device.

[Rustys]

However if I chose a certain picture and try to save it to my desktop, it gives it a name like icloud photos.mhtml

That is because you right clicked on the photo and selected Save As.

Look at the upper right corner and use the one that is highlighted on one picture then check you download folder to see if it is there and the correct one.

If that works do several at once by selecting a few at a time so not to overload and or corrupt the files.

The downloaded file will be in the download folder (unless you have it send someplace else) and named iCloud Photos.zip

Works flawless for me just got done from testing it several times.

1. After it has been there and has stayed for certain amount of time stays on iCloud removed from device.

Turn on Optimized Storage to automatically manage storage on this device and keep originals in iCloud.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205703

1. If removed from iCloud removed from devices.

[mike13]

If I do ONE picture, it downloads to my Download file, and I can view it as is. However if I click on two or more pictures, it downloads them as a zip file. If I then go to my downloads file, and upzip, I see them as small icons. I have to click on each one to see what it is.

[Rustys]

Correct

Just to confirm the image does open correctly.

You are seeing what looks like this correct? they are called thumbnails or thumbnail images.

A thumbnail is a small image representation of a larger image, usually intended to make it easier and faster to look at or manage a group of larger images. Graphic designers and photographers typically use this term.

[ATTACH type=“full” width=“663px” alt=“Untitled.png”]10195[/ATTACH]

[mike13]

YES, if I choose a SINGLE picture, and then hit the Download button at the top, it will correctly download that picture as a thumbnail to my Download folder. . It is labeled as Img_1013.png I can see the picture, and I can then select VIEW at the top of the screen, and make it Large, or Extra large. but as I said, only one at a time.

[Rustys]

from what you have stated that it is downloading correctly.

you are able to view thumbnails and change the sizes of them.

can you now open the pictures that you have downloaded by?
right click on one and select open
and or
double clicking on the picture

[mike13]

I just downloaded 8 pictures. Went to my Downloads, saw this. I cloud photos.zip, after I clicked it I saw I cloud Photos. Then I saw 8 little rectangles with a mountain. could not see the picture itself. If I then clicked on one of the mountains, the picture did appear.

[Rustys]

Then things are working properly all you have to do is uncompressed the folder.

From the sounds of it you are good to go.

[Bruce]

@mike13 - where we at?

[mike13]

Hi Bruce, I took 8 pictures two days ago with the cell phone. That evening when I got home I connected my phone to my computer, like I had done many times in the last several years. Then when I checked in File manager, I could see the 8 pictures on my computer. Just for the heck of it, I checked Icloud. The pictures were NOT there yet. I checked back a few hours later, and they were on Icloud, but I could not view them on my computer anymore. It seems like after they they uploaded to Icloud, I can no longer view them on my computer. Now, last evening I took another 6 pictures at an event we were at. I just connected my phone to the computer about 15 minutes ago. I can see the pictures in File manager. They are not yet on Icloud. I will bet in a few hours they will be on Icloud, and I will not see them on Fie manager. So I guess after the pictures are uploaded to Icloud, I can not see them in File manager anymore as I believe someone had mentioned a while back. BUT, if I tap the photo icon on my phone, I can see there are over eight hundred pictures on the phone. And I can scroll around to see them. I guess if I want several pictures off my phone at one time, I will have to get them soon after I take them, or get them one at a time from Icloud. Not a big deal I guess. I am still convinced there is a setting messed up on my phone., because when I connect the wife’s phone to my computer I can see thousands of pictures even after they were uploaded to Icloud. I will be in the market for a new phone soon, since mine is the old SE maybe then the problem will go away. Thanks for all your help. Mike

[Bruce]

I feel your pain - but I also agree with you.
I have always been able to see my iPhone pics in File Explorer > Apple Iphone > DCIM etc etc etc.
only times that stuffs up is when (Apple being Apple) I may have to disconnect and reconnect the cable, or check iTunes is install - that sort of left field apple crap.

so yes - your phone is not behaving the normal way.
why - that’s the 64 million dollar question, isn’t it?
my answer - welcome to Apple, and Windows - take your pick!

this answer sucks, but purely cause it would annoy the shite out of me, I would backup my phone using iTunes.
then nuke it from space back to factory settings.
then see how the picture - file explorer thing pans out.

if still no good - bugger, that was my last throw of the dice.
if it works - great but also bugger, because now you have to restore that backup, potentially re-applying the ‘bug’.

[mike13]

Thanks Bruce for your help, and the help and suggestions of others on PC Help Forum. We all have spent too much time on this issue. I will just live with the problem until I get a newer phone, when I am pretty sure I will be able to view all pictures on my computer, even if they were uploaded to Icloud. Mike

[Bruce]

agree - good compromise.
it’s a first world problem after all.

will close this now.
good luck!