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Preserving time-date stamps when uploading content from iPhone.

I am trying to move and save my photos currently in my iPhone to a file in my compute and storage
I am using Dropbox app on my phone to upload the pictures but when opening Dropbox app on my computer they have lost the time and date stamp on them. Is there a way that I can change that to have correct date and time pictures were taken on each picture?
I appreciate any help or tips you can provide.

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Megan

Hey @Sfariba, let's jump right into this!

When you say that the content has lost their time & date, would you clarify more? Do they look as if they were newly-created? Also, feel free to have a look into an older thread right here.

Also, do you use our camera uploads feature when uploading content to the account, or manual uploads by pressing the + icon?

Let me know more!

Sfariba

Hello Megan,
Thank you for your response.
I use cameras upload on my iPhone to transfer them. When checking on my computer Dropbox app they don’t have any time or date stamp. They are identified with letters and numbers for ex IMG_2915.HEIC.

I used to do the same process a while back and would have time photo taken on them, not anymore. Not sure what has changed.

Hope it is clearer now.
I have looked at some older treads but couldn’t find the answer to my issue.
best,
Fariba

RyanFromDropbox

Hi, @Sfariba -- I'm Ryan, and I'm on the Product team here at Dropbox. Thanks for bringing this to our attention! A couple clarifying questions:

1. I'm assuming you're using an Apple device (due to the .HEIC format). Is that correct?

2. Are you using Camera Uploads on your phone's Dropbox app, or are you using Camera Uploads on the Dropbox Desktop app (i.e., under Account > Preferences > Backup) by physically plugging your phone into your computer?

Cheers!

Sfariba

Thank you Ryan,
Yes. I have a Iphone. I upload files by camera uploads through Dropbox app on my phone and then try to transfer them to computer/storage by Dropbox app installed on my computer.
I hope I’ve answered your questions.
I appreciate your help

Fariba

Megan

Hey @Sfariba!

Would you be able to send me a couple of screenshots of some example files and how they look inside your Dropbox folder, website, along with how they appear when you view them on your iPhone?

That'll help me get a visual. Thanks!

Sfariba

Hello Megan,
How can I send you the screenshots? I can’t find a way here to send you attachments.
Thanks

Hannah

Hey @Sfariba, you should be able to see a camera button above the reply box, to attach your screenshots.

If you're on your phone, and can't see the camera button, make sure to request the desktop version of the website.

Otherwise, you can always send us a shared link with your screenshots.

Sfariba

Hello Hanna,
Thank you for the information. I will try it later on my computer.
Fariba

Sfariba

I am sorry Megan I have tried (found the photo image) but not able to attach any screen shots. Don't understand why it is not allowing me to attach pictures from my computer and don't want to be too much trouble. I am giving up.

Thank you for your time, you all have been very kind and helpful.

Fariba

Sfariba

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nt5k270nhh0uinck5rvyj/IMG_5906.PNG?rlkey=isreozf01rejcjtquya8z982l&dl=0

Hello again Morgan,

I tried again today and was able to share this link with you. This is how i see update picture in the Dropbox website. no date or time given

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dnpqpu2b1jv46z7sdkldy/Photo-Oct-17-2024-1-18-43-PM.jpg?rlkey=5ujweuao7thvigkzhiq9jg8un&dl=0

second picture is how i see all pictures on my phone, location, time and date stamped

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/rciyswe58bfi2wdd09bsn/Photo-Oct-17-2024-1-18-43-PM-1.jpg?rlkey=l6sn5va6scnze7wd29863k95n&dl=0

last picture is how all files look like in my desktop dropbox app. No date, time or image preview to know which picture it is.

Is there anyway to resolve this? Is this a new update that time and date that picture is taken not come with the picture??

appreciate any help

Thanks,

Fariba

Jay

Hi @Sfariba, since the images have the file names like IMG_2915.HEIC, this means you are manually uploading the images, and not using the automatic camera upload feature.

When you manually upload images, the current date and time is used for the photos.

The camera upload feature would instead rename the images to YYYY-MM-DD HH-MM-SS.(extension), and retain the original creation date.

Sfariba

Hello Jay,
I rarely pick pictures manually to upload. As you can see in third picture all images look like that. When I open Dropbox app it automatically start to upload pictures. That is not manually, is it?
I used to upload the same way in 2022 and they kept the date taken. anything has change since then? This way makes it really hard to find a picture when needed.
Will you send a link to how automatically upload to keep the date taken please?
Thanks

Jay

You can enable the camera uploads feature by using these steps on the Dropbox mobile app.

If it is enabled, try disabling it and re-enabling it.