Where are Pictures Stored on Android?

Photos and images captured or downloaded on Android devices get saved across various folders and locations. Understanding the exact places where pictures are stored on your Android phone is key to easily managing, editing and backing up your precious memories. Here is a guide to the main folders where pictures are typically saved on Android phones and tablets.

Where are Pictures Stored on Android?

1. Camera photos

The default location where photos taken with your Android device’s camera are saved is the DCIM (Digital Camera Images) folder. You can also change the default camera folder in your Camera app’s settings.

To locate your camera photos:

  1. Open your Android device’s File Manager app.
  2. Navigate to Internal Storage or your SD card .
  3. Open the DCIM folder.
  4. Open the Camera folder inside DCIM.
  5. Here you will find all photos and videos taken with your device’s camera.

Open the Camera folder inside DCIM.

2. Screenshots

Screenshots taken on your Android device are saved to the Pictures/Screenshots folder or the DCIM/Screenshots folder. If you have used a third-party screenshot capturing app, check that app’s settings to see the custom screenshot saving location.

To find your screenshots:

  1. Open your Android device’s File Manager.
  2. Navigate to Internal Storage.
  3. Open the Pictures folder.
  4. Open the Screenshots folder.
  5. View your screenshots here.

Open the Screenshots folder. | Where are Pictures Stored on Android

3. Downloaded images

Any images downloaded from the internet are saved in your Android device’s Download folder.

To access downloaded pictures:

  1. Open your Android device’s File Manager.
  2. Navigate to Internal Storage.
  3. Open the Download folder.
  4. View your downloaded images here.

Open the Download folder.

4. Backed up photos (Google Photos)

If you have enabled backup for your photos, they are backed up to your Google Account via the Google Photos app.

To view your backed up photos:

  1. Open the Google Photos app.
  2. Sign in to your Google Account.
  3. Tap on your profile icon.
  4. Select Photos Settings > Backup and sync.
  5. Turn on backup to enable photo backup to your Google Account.
  6. View your backed up photos in the Google Photos app.

Turn on backup to enable photo backup to your Google Account.

5. Shared images

Photos received via messaging apps like WhatsApp or social media apps may be stored in separate folders belonging to those apps.

To locate shared images:

  1. Open your Android device’s File Manager.
  2. Navigate to Internal Storage.
  3. Find and open the folder for the messaging or social media app.
  4. Photos shared with you will be saved in Media folder.

Photos shared with you will be saved in Media folder. | Where are Pictures Stored on Android

6. Gallery app

Your Android device’s Gallery app may also contain a variety of photos gathered from different sources such as your camera, downloads, screenshots, etc.

To view all images in one place:

  1. Open your device’s Gallery app.
  2. Select the Photos tab.
  3. Scroll through all your photos here from various sources.

Also Read: How to Find Your IP Address on Android and iPhone

Knowing where are pictures stored on your Android device can help you easily manage, edit, organize and backup your precious memories. Follow the steps outlined above to quickly navigate to your images across the different storage locations. If you have any queries or suggestions, do let us know in the comments section below.

1 thought on “Where are Pictures Stored on Android?”

  1. Thank you for this article. Now that we know that photos are stored all over the place, as directed by the Android system, is there a way to redirect WHERE I want my pictures stored when captured? (Not just the ones that I take with my camera that end up in DCIM folder, which you described.) Thank you.

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