Question Samsung Photo Folders

[kkvvdd]

Hello,
Recently upgraded to S22 Ultra from S22 and have nothing but issues.
Discovered that there were multiple "camera roll" "screenshoot" "dcim" etc.. folders at first I thought it was just folders from older phones but it wasn't. There were photos from 1 day spread throughout all the "camera roll" folders so I combined them. That somehow filled up my storage and has caused duplicates and caused issues with the apps that create their own folders.

So I can undo what I've done and hopefully fix the problem now and for future upgrades, could you please tell me where all the various photo folders should be saved? When I combined the duplicate folders I then moved them all under Samsung Gallery.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[AHE_XDA]

Most items are natively stored in the 'DCIM' folder (e.g., screenshots, or pictures/videos that you took ON the device).

However different applications often use their own folders in which to store media. Some 'may' provide you the option to remap the path to a folder of your choice.

However, if you want to see where a picture is stored by folder name, open 'Gallery' and go to 'Albums'.

 

[kkvvdd]

Most items are natively stored in the 'DCIM' folder (e.g., screenshots, or pictures/videos that you took ON the device).

However different applications often use their own folders in which to store media. Some 'may' provide you the option to remap the path to a folder of your choice.

However, if you want to see where a picture is stored by folder name, open 'Gallery' and go to 'Albums'.

Hi, the folders with similar names have been created by the device I'm not referring to any albums within Samsung Gallery I've created. The issue is with what this device is doing, I first located them in Samsung Files on the device and also in OneDrive via the website not the OneDrive app.

There are multiple dcim folders, multiple folders labelled camera, camera roll etc.. at first I thought they were folders from previous devices, but when you take say 20 photos in a day they are spread throughout these various camera roll folders not just in one.

 

[Marcelocohenarg]

Hi, I only see one DCIM folder in my S22 Ultra. Are you saying that you have multiple folders with the same name? How many of them? Are you using multiple photo applications, like the GCam ported application and the stock one, and others? Are you in stock android? Rooted?

 

[gernerttl]

Hi, the folders with similar names have been created by the device I'm not referring to any albums within Samsung Gallery I've created. The issue is with what this device is doing, I first located them in Samsung Files on the device and also in OneDrive via the website not the OneDrive app.

There are multiple dcim folders, multiple folders labelled camera, camera roll etc.. at first I thought they were folders from previous devices, but when you take say 20 photos in a day they are spread throughout these various camera roll folders not just in one.

That is not normal behavior. The way the S22 Ultra handles images taken by both the default Camera and Expert RAW apps is the same as the S22+ and S22. It creates only one DCIM folder with Camera, Expert RAW, and Screenshot subfolders. Apps like Facebook, Video Editor, AR Emoji camera will also build their own subfolders within DCIM. Google Messages, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp, Office Lense, put their respective folders in the Pictures folder which is at the same level as DCIM.

Try resetting the camera app settings.

Camera - > Settings->Reset settings (3rd from the bottom).

If that doesn't work backup all of your important files (documents, photos, videos, etc.) to your computer and factory reset it. Don't restore from a backup. Once you have confirmed that it is working properly, you copy your files back. When reinstalling apps pay attention to the behavior after each installation. There is still the possibility of a third party app may be the cause.

Yes, I know that it's tedious, but it will either fix it, or help you identify what is causing the problem.

 

[kkvvdd]

Hi, I only see one DCIM folder in my S22 Ultra. Are you saying that you have multiple folders with the same name? How many of them? Are you using multiple photo applications, like the GCam ported application and the stock one, and others? Are you in stock android? Rooted?

Hi, yes so more than one Dcim, more than one camera roll etc.. at first I thought they were from my previous devices but when I take photos, one days worth of photos is spread across the say camera roll folders which just makes it more confusing to workout how to fix.
Nothing out of the ordinary, everything's stock standard that automatically is on the device. I've had nothing but trouble since upgrading so many other issues but would like to sort this one if I can.

 

[kkvvdd]

That is not normal behavior. The way the S22 Ultra handles images taken by both the default Camera and Expert RAW apps is the same as the S22+ and S22. It creates only one DCIM folder with Camera, Expert RAW, and Screenshot subfolders. Apps like Facebook, Video Editor, AR Emoji camera will also build their own subfolders within DCIM. Google Messages, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp, Office Lense, put their respective folders in the Pictures folder which is at the same level as DCIM.

Try resetting the camera app settings.

Camera - > Settings->Reset settings (3rd from the bottom).

If that doesn't work backup all of your important files (documents, photos, videos, etc.) to your computer and factory reset it. Don't restore from a backup. Once you have confirmed that it is working properly, you copy your files back. When reinstalling apps pay attention to the behavior after each installation. There is still the possibility of a third party app may be the cause.

Yes, I know that it's tedious, but it will either fix it, or help you identify what is causing the problem.

Hi, I've had to factory reset over 30 times as I have so many issues, not just this photo folder issue. When I first got the device and setting it up as per usual encountered errors.

Did a factory reset via the settings and when the phone was turned back on it wasn't completely reset, tried again and a few more things were reset but again not all.
Had to do a black screen reset (sorry dont know what thats called) and that helped a lot more but it was still not a completly reset device.
I've tried not signing into anything and setting up as a new user, didn't solve anything, I've signed in as you go and that hasn't worked either. I've installed all apps manually, not from backup, and still have issues (I only have like 20 apps most are just standard or the bank). I've had an authorised technician remove and reinstall the software, and that didn't solve anything. They were stumped as they can replicate all of my issues but weren't able to fix them.
I've been battling with this since I got it and have had to make do but it's basically an expensive piece of plastic/glass at this point.
I haven't tried specifically what you've suggested about the camera, so I will give that a go.

 

[gernerttl]

Hi, I've had to factory reset over 30 times as I have so many issues, not just this photo folder issue. When I first got the device and setting it up as per usual encountered errors.

Did a factory reset via the settings and when the phone was turned back on it wasn't completely reset, tried again and a few more things were reset but again not all.
Had to do a black screen reset (sorry dont know what thats called) and that helped a lot more but it was still not a completly reset device.
I've tried not signing into anything and setting up as a new user, didn't solve anything, I've signed in as you go and that hasn't worked either. I've installed all apps manually, not from backup, and still have issues (I only have like 20 apps most are just standard or the bank). I've had an authorised technician remove and reinstall the software, and that didn't solve anything. They were stumped as they can replicate all of my issues but weren't able to fix them.
I've been battling with this since I got it and have had to make do but it's basically an expensive piece of plastic/glass at this point.
I haven't tried specifically what you've suggested about the camera, so I will give that a go.

If a factory reset is not working, it sounds like the recovery partition is corrupted. Have you attempted a factory reset using the power on, volume up method?

1. Completely power the phone off.
2. Simultaneously press and hold the power and volume up buttons until you see the Samsung logo. This will put you into Recovery mode.
3. Using the volume down button, scroll down to select Wipe data/factory reset and press the power button.
4. Select yes to confirm your choice.

It will may ask you for your Google account password. If it does, enter it. It should then run you through the reset process. The difference with using this method instead of doing from settings, is that it should download a fresh image.

 

[kkvvdd]

Hi,
Apologies for the delay. I did a hard reset last night and still had so much trouble, there is definitely something off with this phone.

However it didn't reset the photo folders.

It currently looks like this Onedrive: Files: Pictures: Samsung Gallery: all folders created by the device, by apps, by me.

I had moved all folders into Samsung Gallery as I didn't understand why some folders where in "Pictures" and some were in "Samsung Gallery" as that's were the duplicate DCIM, Camera roll etc.. were.

Do you happen to know the correct file path for:
- folders created by the device
- folders created by apps that use Photos
- folders created by me

Then I will manually go into OneDrive on my Laptop and move them around, hopefully that will solve the problem.

Thank you,

 

[TheMystic]

Hi,
Apologies for the delay. I did a hard reset last night and still had so much trouble, there is definitely something off with this phone.

However it didn't reset the photo folders.

It currently looks like this Onedrive: Files: Pictures: Samsung Gallery: all folders created by the device, by apps, by me.

I had moved all folders into Samsung Gallery as I didn't understand why some folders where in "Pictures" and some were in "Samsung Gallery" as that's were the duplicate DCIM, Camera roll etc.. were.

Do you happen to know the correct file path for:
- folders created by the device
- folders created by apps that use Photos
- folders created by me

Then I will manually go into OneDrive on my Laptop and move them around, hopefully that will solve the problem.

Thank you,

There is absolutely nothing wrong with your phone.

Have you enabled Sync between OneDrive and Samsung Gallery?

If so, turn it OFF.

There is only one DCIM folder in a phone, and the Camera folder is inside of it. On Samsung phones, even the Screenshot folder is inside DCIM by default, but you have the choice of changing its location.

 

[kkvvdd]

Hi, there is actually a lot wrong with the phone not just this. Which has all been proven by an authorised Samsung technician who has been able to replicate bit not fix any of the issues, unfortunately it's been like this since day one and I'm not getting very far with Samsung so I am trying to fix what I can so it's more usable than an expensive piece of plastic/glass.

But thank you for being so polite and helpful, it makes joining a forum and asking for help so much less daunting.

 

[kkvvdd]

If a factory reset is not working, it sounds like the recovery partition is corrupted. Have you attempted a factory reset using the power on, volume up method?

1. Completely power the phone off.
2. Simultaneously press and hold the power and volume up buttons until you see the Samsung logo. This will put you into Recovery mode.
3. Using the volume down button, scroll down to select Wipe data/factory reset and press the power button.
4. Select yes to confirm your choice.

It will may ask you for your Google account password. If it does, enter it. It should then run you through the reset process. The difference with using this method instead of doing from settings, is that it should download a fresh image.

Hi,
Apologies for the delay. I did a hard reset last night and still had so much trouble, there is definitely something off with this phone.

However it didn't reset the photo folders.

It currently looks like this Onedrive: Files: Pictures: Samsung Gallery: all folders created by the device, by apps, by me.

I had moved all folders into Samsung Gallery as I didn't understand why some folders where in "Pictures" and some were in "Samsung Gallery" as that's were the duplicate DCIM, Camera roll etc.. were.

Do you happen to know the correct file path for:
- folders created by the device
- folders created by apps that use Photos
- folders created by me

Then I will manually go into OneDrive on my Laptop and move them around, hopefully that will solve the problem.

Thank you,

 

[gernerttl]

Hi,
Apologies for the delay. I did a hard reset last night and still had so much trouble, there is definitely something off with this phone.

However it didn't reset the photo folders.

It currently looks like this Onedrive: Files: Pictures: Samsung Gallery: all folders created by the device, by apps, by me.

I had moved all folders into Samsung Gallery as I didn't understand why some folders where in "Pictures" and some were in "Samsung Gallery" as that's were the duplicate DCIM, Camera roll etc.. were.

Do you happen to know the correct file path for:
- folders created by the device
- folders created by apps that use Photos
- folders created by me

Then I will manually go into OneDrive on my Laptop and move them around, hopefully that will solve the problem.

Thank you,

Some apps do put folders in the Pictures folder.

Just to be clear. When you open My Files and go to the Internal storage, how many DCIM folders are there? There should only be one. If there is, then your phone is working as designed. You cannot have two folders with the same name on the same level. No OS that I know of does allows that.

If you are seeing more than one DCIM folder in OneDrive, then something happened with the syncing. Are you syncing any other devices (tablets or phones) with OneDrive?