Hey, So up until today, when I uploaded files such as photos and videos through the Dropbox App on i-phone, the app sorted the files with a date title. Something happened and the date titles disappear (so when I choose what photos to upload I do not know when they were taken). I want to have the option to choose what photos to upload by date. OR Is there a way to automatically name the files with the dates they were taken?

Hi @Megan,I uploaded by dragging my photos on my mac on the web version of Dropbox. Like @Slacasse, I am seeing that this has been a problem for a long time. I was able to get my videos back onto my mac by using Time Machine. I have decided not to use DropBox because of this problem. It appears that the metadata is never uploaded with any kind of file. It just changes the "creation date" to the date that the file is uploaded.

I am experiencing the same problem. The date I took the photo was the primary way I used to find photos when I uploaded files into folders.

HiI can’t believe we loose a file creation date when importing them in Dropbox. It renders Dropbox completely useless for organizing and searching files. As a university professor I’m amazed of this fundamental caveat.

I have just uploaded several videos to dropbox. The original dates, camera info etc. are now gone. Sadly, I deleted the videos as I was putting them on dropbox to free up space. Is there a way to see the original data or is it just stripped away when uploading to dropbox?

MeganI’ve been reading TONS of threads about people having this EXACT problem. Clearly they aren’t all going to know I have requested this feature to PHYSICALLY go vote for it. But it’s proof that it is a SERIOUS issue that needs to be addressed and fixed. It clearly has enough people who have posted about it without being resolved. Some may have even stopped using this app because of it. I think that should speak volumes about how many people WOULD vote for the feature if they knew it was there to be voted on, had the time, or cared anymore about those of us still trying to hold onto the hope that we won’t have to switch to another app that DOES include this very necessary functionality.

Viewing dates when uploading media (photos & videos) in Dropbox app

30 Replies

Walter
Dropbox Staff
4 years ago
Hi GZ5, thanks for using Dropbox and welcome to the Community.

Can you please clarify how exactly are you uploading your files? Is it through our automatic camera uploads feature or are you manually uploading them via the (+) button within the app?

If you could share a screenshot of a sample file showing this behavior as well, I'd appreciate it.

When it comes to your second concern, you can have a look at our naming conventions and/or automation features as they might help with what you had in mind.

Keep me posted!
- GZ5
  Helpful | Level 6
  4 years ago
  Hey Walter!
  Thanks for replying.
  Yes, I am uploading my files manually via the (+) button within the app (iPhone).
  I cannot make a screenshot of how it used to be since it doesn't exist anymore.
  However, I tried to create a sample of a screenshot of how it used to be (more or less). Please see the attached photos: One has the date listed just above the files (The desired behavior) while the other one doesn't (The current behavior).
  
  Please let me know if there is anything I can do in order to get that date feature back.
  currentdesired
Jay
Dropbox Staff
4 years ago
Hi GZ5, thanks for the images. What version of the Dropbox mobile app are you running currently on your device, and what OS version?
- GZ5
  Helpful | Level 6
  4 years ago
  Hello Jay
  I am using Dropbox app version 272.2.2
  and iSO 15.3.1
  - Jay
    Dropbox Staff
    4 years ago
    Thanks for the info, we're not experiencing this behavior on our test devices.
    
    If you're not on a Dropbox Basic plan with more than 3 devices connected, could you try uninstalling the app, rebooting the device, and re-installing it to see if this helps?
Slacasse
Helpful | Level 5
3 years ago
Hi
I can’t believe we loose a file creation date when importing them in Dropbox. It renders Dropbox completely useless for organizing and searching files. As a university professor I’m amazed of this fundamental caveat.
- Megan
  Dropbox Staff
  3 years ago
  Hey Slacasse, thanks for using Dropbox and welcome to our Community!
  
  In regards to the creation date of your content, how did you upload it in the first place?
  
  I am assuming you used our mobile app, correct? Was it through camera uploads, or manually using the "+" sign? Do the files show the correct metadata when you access their properties after downloading it locally on your computer?
  
  Any additional information is more than welcome!
  - Slacasse
    Helpful | Level 5
    3 years ago
    No. All files were uploaded on my MacBook Pro through airdrop from my iPhone. None of the exif data seem to have been transfered in the process, the creation date being replaced with the date of the transfer. I noted that this problem is being discussed on this forum for years. Each time, Dropbox reps reply that they will submit the problem to superior levels. This seems to be going on since at least 2015…
AgentOrange
Collaborator | Level 8
2 years ago
I created a feature request for this exact problem. Please check it out and vote for it so that we can get enough support to fix this frustrating denial of this basic functionality:

https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Dropbox-ideas/Preserve-file-Creation-Dates-and-other-metadata-in-mobile-app/idi-p/691539