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Fix OneDrive Android Backup Changing Photo Creation Dates
Question details
The user is experiencing an issue where photos uploaded from an Android device to OneDrive have their creation dates changed to the upload date.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- Android
- Scenario
- Backing up photos locally stored on an Android phone using automatic and manual OneDrive uploads.
- Observed behavior
- The original file creation date is overwritten by the upload date, making chronological photo sorting difficult.
Ensure your OneDrive app is updated to the latest version and verify whether your photos are stored locally on your device rather than synced through another cloud service.
Isolate the Metadata Issue with Local Folder Uploads
Test a direct manual upload from a local folder to see if OneDrive retains the original creation date.
OneDrive generally retains metadata for files uploaded directly from local device storage. By isolating a specific file, you can determine if the date change is caused by the upload method or the file source.
Download or move a test photo to a designated local folder on your Android device, such as the 'Downloads' folder.
Open your Android File Manager or Gallery app, select the photo, and check its properties to confirm the original creation date is intact.
Open the OneDrive app, tap the '+' icon, select 'Upload', and choose the test photo from your local folder.
Once the upload is complete, check the file details in OneDrive to see if the creation date matches the original date or the upload date.
Compare Upload Methods and Contact Support
Determine if the issue affects both automatic camera uploads and manual uploads to gather details for support.
Looking for a Better Way to Manage Your Files and Documents?
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- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website or your device's app store to download and install the free application.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneDrive change the date of my uploaded Android photos?
This often happens due to how the Android operating system and OneDrive app handle file metadata during the transfer process. Sometimes, the 'Date Modified' or upload timestamp overwrites the original EXIF 'Date Taken' data in the file properties.
Can I restore the original creation date of photos in OneDrive?
If the internal EXIF data (Date Taken) is still intact within the image file, photo gallery apps can usually read it correctly for sorting. However, if OneDrive completely overwrote the file attributes upon upload, you may need to re-upload the files directly from local storage using a method that preserves metadata.
Does Google Photos change the creation date like OneDrive?
Generally, Google Photos relies heavily on the internal EXIF data (Date Taken) rather than the external file creation date, which allows it to sort photos chronologically even if the file upload date is different.
How do I check if my Android photos are stored locally?
Open your device's native File Manager or Gallery app, select a photo, and check its details or properties. It will display a local device path (e.g., /storage/emulated/0/DCIM) if the image is saved directly on your phone's internal storage.
