Fix OneDrive Mobile Albums Not Sorting by Date Taken
Question details
Users want to sort their custom photo albums by 'date taken' in the OneDrive mobile app, but the app defaults to sorting by 'upload date'.
- Product
- OneDrive Mobile App
- Device & OS
- iOS and Android
- Scenario
- Organizing and viewing photos chronologically within custom albums on a mobile device.
- Observed behavior
- Albums in the mobile app currently sort images by the upload date and lack a dedicated option to sort by date taken, unlike the web experience or the native Photos tab.
Verify that your OneDrive mobile app is updated to the latest version, and note that this sorting limitation applies specifically to custom albums on mobile devices, not the general Photos tab.
Use the Dedicated Photos Tab for Chronological Sorting
Since custom albums lack a date-taken sorting feature, using the built-in Photos tab is the most effective way to view your entire library chronologically on mobile.
The OneDrive mobile app includes a central Photos tab that is programmed to automatically read the Exif data of your image files. This ensures that all images are displayed exactly when they were captured, regardless of when they were uploaded to the cloud.
Launch the OneDrive application on your iOS or Android device and ensure you are logged in to your Microsoft account.
Locate the bottom navigation bar and tap on the 'Photos' icon instead of navigating to 'Files' or 'Albums'.
Scroll through your image library. The photos will now be automatically grouped and sorted chronologically by the date they were taken.
Access OneDrive via the Web Browser
Use the OneDrive web version, which fully supports sorting custom albums by the date the photos were taken.
Submit Feedback to Microsoft
Request the 'sort by date taken' feature for mobile albums directly from the app developers.
Manage Your Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office
While managing photos in cloud storage can occasionally present formatting quirks, managing your documents should be straightforward. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, letting you view, edit, and organize files with ease across all devices.
- 1. Download the App: Install WPS Office for free from the App Store, Google Play Store, or the official WPS website.
- 2. Sign In for Cloud Access: Log in to activate your WPS Cloud storage for seamless file syncing across your phone and computer.
- 3. Organize Your Files: Easily create, edit, and sort your documents using familiar formatting tools without sorting limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my photos appear out of order in my custom OneDrive mobile album?
Currently, the OneDrive iOS and Android apps default to sorting custom albums by the 'upload date' rather than the 'date taken'. This means recently uploaded older photos will appear at the top or bottom of the album regardless of when they were actually captured.
Will Microsoft add a 'sort by date taken' feature for mobile albums?
Microsoft has not announced an official timeline for this feature in the mobile apps. However, they actively monitor user feedback submitted through the 'Help & Feedback' section in the app, which can influence future updates.
Can I permanently change the sorting order in the OneDrive web version?
Yes, in the OneDrive web experience, you can open an album, click the 'Sort' menu, and choose 'Date taken'. However, this sorting preference is applied only to the web view and will not change how the album is displayed in your mobile app.
