Have you ever lost important photos on your smartphone or couldn't find the video you exactly saved? The problem is that Android distributes media files into different folders - and not all of them are visible in the standard gallery. Even experienced users are sometimes surprised to find that gallery files are stored not only in the folder DCIMbut also in dozens of other locations - from messenger caches to system directories.

In this article we will analyze all possible storage locations photos and videos on Android: from obvious to hidden. You'll learn how to find files manually using the file manager, why some images aren't showing up in the gallery, and how to recover deleted media without root. And also - why after updating to Android 14+ the path to files may change due to new storage rules.

The material is relevant for all versions of Android (from 5.0 to 14+), but taking into account the characteristics of manufacturers: Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel and others. If you are using custom firmware (for example LineageOS), some paths may differ - we will also mention this.

Most users know only one folder - DCIM (Digital Camera Images). Indeed, the following are saved here by default:

  • 📷 Photos taken with the main and front camera
  • 🎥 Videos recorded by the standard "Camera" application
  • 🔄 Screenshots (in a subfolder Screenshots — on some devices)

But even here there are nuances. For example, on Samsung Galaxy screenshots are stored in Pictures/Screenshots, and on Xiaomi - in DCIM/Screenshots. The path depends on the version MIUI or One UI.

Here is a complete list of standard folders with media files (paths are indicated relative to the root directory of the internal memory /storage/emulated/0/):

Folder File type Notes
DCIM/Camera Photos and videos from the camera Main folder for all devices
Pictures Downloaded images, screenshots Pictures from the browser are saved here
Downloads Media from the Internet If no other save location is specified
Movies Video (for example, from Telegram) Rarely used by default

To see these folders, open any file manager (for example, Files by Google or Solid Explorer) and go to the section Internal memory. If the folder is not there, it may be hidden. Read about this in the next section.

📊 What file manager do you use?
Files by Google
Solid Explorer
Mi File Manager
Total Commander
Other

2. Hidden folders and system directories with media files

Android hides some folders with media so that users do not accidentally delete important files. But this is where they are often stored:

  • 📁 Messenger cache (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)
  • 🎵 Album covers and thumbnails video
  • 🔒 Files downloaded in "closed" modes (for example, in Instagram Direct)
  • 🤖 System screenshots (for example, lock screen shots)

To see hidden folders:

  1. Open a file manager that supports showing hidden files (for example, FX File Explorer).
  2. Enable the "Show hidden files" option in the settings.
  3. Go to the root directory and find folders whose names begin with a dot (for example, .thumbnails or .nomedia).

The most important hidden media directories:

  • .thumbnails — thumbnails for quick loading of the gallery
  • Android/data/ — media from games and applications (for example, saves from PUBG or TikTok)
  • Android/obb/ — additional game files (sometimes videos are stored here)
  • .nomedia — folders that the gallery ignores (but there are files there!)
💡

If there is a file in the folder .nomedia, the gallery will not show its contents. Delete this file (or rename) so that the media is displayed.

Caution: deleting files from Android/data/ may break the application. For example, if you delete the folder com.whatsapp, WhatsApp will stop showing chat and media history.

What happens if you delete the .thumbnails folder?

This folder contains cached thumbnails to speed up loading of the gallery. After deleting:

1. The gallery will take longer to load when first opened (thumbnails will be generated). again).

2. Some applications (for example, Google Photos) may be temporarily slower.

3. No original files will be affected - this is only the cache.

Are you sure that photos or videos are saved on the phone, but the gallery does not show them? There could be several reasons:

  1. The file has a non-standard extension (for example, .heic instead of .jpg).
  2. The folder contains a file .nomedia (see previous section).
  3. Media files are saved on SD cardthat is not connected or damaged.
  4. The gallery did not update the library (you need to restart the application or clear the cache).
  5. Files damaged (for example, an error occurred while copying).

To force an update gallery:

  1. Open Settings → Applications.
  2. Find the "Gallery" application (or Google Photosif you use it).
  3. Click Storage → Clear cache.
  4. Reboot your phone.

If the problem is in the file format (for example .heic from an iPhone), install a conversion application, for example HEIF Image Converter.

Check for the .nomedia file in the folder|Update the gallery library (clear the cache)|Make sure the files are not on the SD card|Try to open the files through a file manager|Check the file extension (should be .jpg, .png, .mp4, etc.)

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4 Where are media files from instant messengers stored? social networks

Each application saves media in its own folder. Here are the main paths for popular services:

Application Storage folder Features
WhatsApp WhatsApp/Media/ Subfolders: WhatsApp Images, WhatsApp Video, WhatsApp Animated Gifs
Telegram Telegram/Telegram Images Files are saved only if "Save to gallery" is enabled in the chat settings
Viber Viber/media/ Videos and photos from chats (including stickers)
Instagram Pictures/Instagram Only downloaded stories and posts (not all files are saved automatically)
TikTok TikTok/Downloads Videos, saved via the "Share → Save" button

Important: many instant messengers are by default do not save media to the gallery. For example, in Telegram you need to manually enable the "Save to gallery" option for each chat in WhatsApp media. are saved automatically, but they can be hidden from the gallery through the settings:

WhatsApp Settings → Chat → Media Visibility

If you do not find the application folder, check:

  • 🔍 Saving settings in the messenger itself (sometimes the path can be changed).
  • 📂 Folder Android/data/[application_package_name] (for example, Android/data/com.whatsapp).
  • 🗑️ Application trash (files are stored for 60 days before being deleted). Google Photos files are retained for 60 days before being deleted).
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In messengers, media files are often stored in two places: in the application folder (for internal use) and in the general gallery (if saving is enabled).

If you use an SD card or OTG drive, media files can be stored there. However, there are several important points:

  1. Android 11+ limits recording to. SD card. Many applications (including the camera) cannot save files directly to removable media without root access.
  2. Folders on the SD card can duplicate the structure of the internal memory (for example, DCIM/Camera), but the path will be different: /storage/XXXX-XXXX/, where XXXX-XXXX is the unique identifier of the card.
  3. Some manufacturers (for example Samsung) allow you to select the storage location (internal memory or SD) in the camera settings.

To check the media on the SD card:

  1. Open the file manager and select the partition SD card or External storage.
  2. Check the standard folders: DCIM, Pictures, Downloads.
  3. If there are no files, but they should be there, try connecting the card to the computer via a card reader.
⚠️ Attention: If The SD card is formatted as internal memory (the "Adoptable Storage" option in older versions of Android), it cannot be simply removed. The system will treat it as part of the main storage, and removing the card may result in data loss.

If the phone does not see the SD card:

  • 🔌 Reconnect it (take it out and put it back in).
  • 🛠️ Check card on another device (it may be damaged).
  • 📱 In the phone settings, find the "Storage" section and click "Clear" or "Format" (data will be deleted!).

Deleted a photo by mistake? There is a chance to return them even if the cart is empty. The main thing is do not write new files to the phone (this may overwrite deleted data).

Recovery methods:

  1. Google Recycle Bin Photo (if synchronization was enabled): 
    Open Google Photos → Recycle Bin → Select files → Recover

    Files are stored there for 60 days.

  2. Local Recycle Bin (on some devices, for example, Samsung): 
    Gallery → Menu (three dots) → Cart

    Shelf life is usually 15–30 days.

  3. Special applications (for example, DiskDigger, Recuva for PC):
    • 📱 For phone: DiskDigger (free version searches only for thumbnails).
    • 💻 For PC: connect your phone in mode File transfer and scan the internal memory via Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery.

If the files were on the SD card:

  • 🛑 Immediately remove the card and connect it to the PC via a card reader.
  • 🔍 Use PhotoRec (free utility for deep scanning).
  • ⚠️ Do not format the card - this will reduce the chances of recovery.
⚠️ Attention: Recovery through applications like DiskDigger works only if the place where the files were located was not overwritten. If you. took a lot of new photos or installed applications after deleting - the chances are zero.

For maximum chances:

  • 📵 Turn off mobile data and Wi-Fi (so as not to download updates).
  • 🚫 Do not install new applications.
  • 🔋 Charge phone 100% (recovery may take hours).

If you want to free up space or make a backup, there are several transfer methods:

Method Instructions Pros Cons
Google Photos Install the application → Enable auto-upload → Files will be in the cloud 15 GB free, automatic synchronization Quality may be compressed (if you don’t pay)
USB cable Connect the phone to the PC → Copy folders DCIM i Pictures Fastly, without loss of quality Need a computer
Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Direct Enable file transfer → Send to another phone Without Internet Slow for large files
Cloud services (Yandex Disk, Dropbox) Upload files manually or via auto-upload Access from any device Volume limitation (free 5–15 GB)

To transfer to a new phone:

  1. On the old phone, copy the folders DCIM, Pictures, Downloads to a PC or to the cloud.
  2. On the new phone, paste these folders into the same directories (for example, /storage/emulated/0/DCIM/).
  3. Reboot the device and update the gallery (clear the cache).
⚠️ Attention: When copying via a PC, do not change the folder structure. For example, if the photos were in DCIM/Camera, they should also be there on the new phone. Otherwise, the gallery may not see the files.

For Samsung there is a proprietary service Samsung Smart Switch, which transfers not only media, but also messages and contacts. For Xiaomi — Mi Mover.

8. How to change the default location for saving photos and videos

If the internal memory runs out, you can redirect saving media to an SD card or to the cloud. Methods depend on the version of Android and the manufacturer.

For the standard application. "Camera":

  1. Open the application Camera.
  2. Click on ⚙️ (settings) → Find "Save location" or "Storage".
  3. Select SD card or Internal memory.

On Samsung Galaxy (One UI):

Camera → Settings (gear) → Memory → SD card

On Xiaomi (MIUI):

Camera → Settings → Save to → Select SD card

If there is no option:

  • 📱 You have Android 11+ - the system limits recording to the SD card for applications.
  • 🔧 Try a third-party camera (for example, Open Camera), where you can select the saving path.
  • 💾 Format the SD card as internal memory (all data from it will be deleted!): 
    Settings → Storage → SD card → Configure → Internal memory
⚠️ Note: If you select the SD card as a save location but then remove it, the camera will stop working until the card is reinserted on some devices. (for example Google Pixel) there is no option to save to an SD card at all.

For automatic upload to the cloud:

  • 📷 Google Photos: enable "Backup and Sync" in the settings.
  • 🌥️ Yandex Disk: in the application settings, enable "Auto upload photos".
  • 🍎 iCloud (if you use iPhone + Android): upload photos via the web version iCloud.com.
Is it possible to transfer the DCIM folder to an SD card without root?

On most devices with Android 10+, no. The system blocks the transfer of system folders to removable media. Alternatives:

  • Use a third-party camera (for example, Open Camera), where you can choose saving path.
  • Manually copy files from DCIM to the SD card after shooting.
  • Format the SD card as internal memory (the data from it will be deleted!).
Why did the photos disappear from the gallery after updating Android?

This can happen for several reasons:

  1. The update reset permissions for the Gallery application. Solution: restart the gallery or clear its cache.
  2. The files were moved to a new folder (for example, in Android 13+, some media is stored in Media/).
  3. The update damaged the media database. Solution: reboot the phone or use an application to restore the database (for example, Rescan Media).
How to find photos that are not displayed in the gallery, but take up space?

Most likely, these files are in the folders with the file .nomedia or have a non-standard extension. To find them:

  1. Install a file manager (for example, FX File Explorer) and turn on showing hidden files.
  2. Search by extensions: enter in the search .jpg, .png, *.mp4.
  3. Check the folders: 
    /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/

    /storage/emulated/0/.thumbnails/

Can it be restored photo after resetting the phone to factory settings?

The chances are extremely low, but there are options:

  • If you turned on Google Photos or another cloud service, check the trash or archive.
  • If the phone was connected to the PC - check temporary files on the computer (folders like Download or recycle bin).
  • If the reset was done via fastboot or recovery, and the internal memory was not formatted - try DiskDigger (but chances are are minimal).

In the future, set up automatic backup to Google Photos or Yandex Drive!

Where Live Photos are stored on Android?

Live photos (animation + sound) are saved in two files:

  • Main image: .jpg (in the folder DCIM/Camera).
  • Video with movement: .mp4 (in the same folder, but with a different name, for example, IMG_20230101_123456.mp4 for IMG_20230101_123456.jpg).

On Samsung live photos can be stored in .mpo (for compatibility with 3D screens). To open them, use the standard gallery or Google Photos.