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How to Re-Upload Deleted iPhone Photos to OneDrive Without Losing Dates
Question details
The user wants to re-upload previously deleted iPhone photos to OneDrive and ensure that their original capture dates are preserved.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- iOS
- Scenario
- Restoring deleted photos that were previously synced to OneDrive via camera upload without losing the original EXIF date data.
- Observed behavior
- OneDrive's automatic camera upload feature does not re-sync photos that were previously uploaded and deleted, prompting concerns about losing the original date metadata during a manual upload.
Ensure you have the latest version of the OneDrive app installed on your iPhone and are connected to a stable Wi-Fi network before manually uploading large batches of photos.
Manually Upload Photos to Preserve Metadata
Since automatic camera upload ignores previously synced and deleted photos, manual uploading is the required method to restore them with intact metadata.
OneDrive retains embedded photo metadata (EXIF data), including the original capture date and time, when that metadata exists on the original file. While the files might initially sort by the upload date in certain views, the actual taken date remains safely stored inside the file's information panel.
Launch the OneDrive app on your iPhone and navigate to the specific folder where you want to store the restored photos.
Tap the '+' (Add) icon located at the top right of the screen, then select 'Upload' from the menu.
Choose 'Photos and Videos', browse your iPhone's camera roll to select the previously deleted photos you wish to restore, and tap 'Done' to begin the upload process.
Once the upload is complete, open one of the restored photos in the OneDrive app and tap the 'Info' (i) icon to verify that the original capture date is intact.
Submit Feedback for Automatic Re-Uploads
If you frequently need to re-upload deleted photos, submitting feedback helps the OneDrive development team understand user demands for this feature.
Manage Your Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office
While troubleshooting your cloud storage and photo backups, consider upgrading your document workflow. WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, offering built-in cloud synchronization for all your important files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my manually uploaded photos show today's date instead of when they were taken?
No, the original capture date is preserved in the photo's EXIF metadata. Even if the default folder view sorts them by the upload date, the actual 'Date Taken' remains intact and can be viewed in the file details.
Why isn't the OneDrive camera upload syncing my older photos automatically?
OneDrive's iOS automatic camera upload feature is specifically designed to detect and upload only new photos. It registers the history of previously synced photos and skips them, even if you have since deleted them from your cloud storage.
How can I sort my uploaded photos by the date they were taken?
In the OneDrive app or web interface, tap or click on the 'Sort' menu at the top of your photo folder and select 'Date Taken'. This will reorganize your photos chronologically based on their original embedded metadata.
