When I connect my Samsung S24 to the PC with a USB cable the S24 is shown in the explorer but with the message "this folder is empty."

Thanks for sharing the details! The Phone must be UNLOCKED the entire time

This sounds trivial, but on newer Samsung phones:

• If the phone locks even once, Windows Explorer can show the device but returns an empty folder
• Keep the screen on and unlocked while opening folders on the PC

This is a security change in recent Android versions, not a cable or driver fault.

If that isn't the cause, try to reset USB trust relationship

On the phone

• Settings → Privacy & security
• More privacy settings → Permission manager
• Open Files & media
• Remove USB / PC-related permissions

Then:

• Disconnect cable
• Restart phone
• Reconnect and unlock phone

This forces Android to re-prompt file access, which often fixes the empty folder instantly.

See if this helps. If you need further assistance just let me know.

Best regards,

Kimberly

When you connect your Samsung S24 Ultra to your PC and see the message "this folder is empty," it may be due to several reasons:

1. Connection Mode: Ensure that your phone is set to the correct USB connection mode. When you connect your phone, you should see a notification on your phone that allows you to select the USB mode. Choose "File Transfer" (MTP) mode to allow your PC to access the files.
2. Permissions: Sometimes, the phone may require permission to allow file transfers. Make sure to accept any prompts on your phone that request permission to access files.
3. Driver Issues: Ensure that your PC has the necessary drivers installed for your Samsung device. You can check for updates in Device Manager on your PC.
4. File Visibility: If your photos are stored in a specific folder or app that does not allow direct access through file transfer, they may not appear in the Explorer. Check if your photos are stored in a gallery app or cloud service instead.
5. Cable and Port Issues: Sometimes the USB cable or port may be faulty. Try using a different USB cable or port to see if that resolves the issue.

If you have checked all of the above and still face issues, consider using Samsung's Smart Switch or another file transfer application to facilitate the transfer of photos from your device to your PC.

I have now been able to solve the problem with changing a setting on the S24. Thanks for your hellp.

Try to check on the steps I provided above.