Situations when it is necessary to adjust time stamps on the footage arise quite often. This may be due to incorrect clock settings in the camera, a desire to organize the media library chronologically, or restoring the correct sequence of events for the archive. Standard operating system tools Android usually do not provide such a function, which forces users to look for third-party solutions.
The process of changing timestamps affects not only the visible date in the gallery, but also hidden ones EXIF datathat are stored inside the video file container. It is this metadata that is used by the sorting algorithms in cloud storage and viewing applications. Incorrect editing can lead to the video “flying away” to the end or beginning of the list, violating the overall structure of the album.
In this guide, we will look at several proven methods: from using specialized applications without superuser rights to advanced editing through file managers with Root access. You will learn how to safely make changes and avoid losing the quality of the source material.
Why do you need to change the video recording date?
The main reason lies in the logic of the work of modern galleries and cloud services, such as Google Photos. These apps sort content solely based on the metadata recorded at the time the file was created. If you shot a video on vacation, and the clock on your phone is set back a year, your vacation video will get lost among the old pictures.
In addition, there are legal and organizational aspects. Video footage is often used as evidence or reporting documentation where timeline accuracy is critical. An error in the date may render the file useless for submission to certain authorities or for internal audit of the company.
Another scenario is creative editing. If you collect videos from different sources (old camera, new phone, screen recording), they will have different timestamps. To create a single project with the correct chronology of events in a video editor, sometimes it is necessary to first synchronize the source dates.
⚠️ Attention: Changing the date of a file does not change the date of its creation in the file system (ctime), unless you have superuser rights. Some system utilities may still focus on the time of inode creation, and not on video metadata.
Using specialized editor applications
The most accessible way for the average user is to install applications from Google Play, designed to work with metadata. Such utilities do not require deep knowledge of the file system and offer an intuitive interface. They work by reading the current file header, modifying it, and overwriting it.
Popular tools such as Video Date Changer or Metadata Removerallow you to select specific videos from a list and assign new date and time values to them. The process usually takes a few seconds, regardless of file size, since only a small title changes, not the video stream itself.
It is important to understand the difference between the “modified date” and the “captured date.” In the application settings you need to look for the field Date Taken or Creation Time. These parameters are responsible for display in the gallery. The field Modified Date is often updated automatically with any action with the file and is less important for sorting.
When choosing software, pay attention to the permissions that the app requests. It requires access to storage to work, but requests for access to contacts or microphone should raise red flags. High-quality metadata editors work locally and do not require an Internet connection after installation.
Editing through advanced file managers
For users who do not want to clog up their memory with unnecessary applications, multifunctional file managers are an excellent solution. The leader in this category is Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer. These apps allow you to view the properties of files and, in some cases, edit their attributes directly.
To change the date, you need to find the video file, hold your finger on it to select it and select “Properties” or “Information”. In the menu that opens, a button for editing timestamps may be available. However, this function is often hidden or limited in versions without root access.
- 📂 Open the file manager and go to the folder
DCIM/Camera. - 🎬 Find the desired video file and call the context menu.
- ✏️ Select “Properties” and find the field to change dates.
- 💾 Save the changes and update the media library.
If the manager’s built-in tools fail to change the date, you can try the “Copy” function and then change the date of the copy, but the original will remain untouched. Some managers only allow you to change the last access date, which does not affect the sorting in the gallery.
Before mass editing dates, back up important videos to your computer or to the cloud. An error in the time format can make files unreadable for some players.
Working with root access and system utilities
Having superuser rights (Root) provides access to the deep Android file system, allowing you to change any file attributes, including the creation time (ctime). This is the most reliable method, ensuring that the system sees the new date everywhere.
To implement this method, you will need an application like Root Explorer or a terminal with a utility touch. Via the terminal, the command looks as concise as possible and gives full control over timestamps. You can set the exact date up to the second.
touch -t 202312312359.00 /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/VID_20231231.mp4In this command, the parameter -t specifies the time format (YYYYMMDDHHMM.SS), and the path leads to the target file. Using such commands requires extreme caution: a typo in the path may result in the creation of an empty file with the name of your video, which will overwrite the original.
⚠️ Attention: Obtaining root access will void the warranty on the device and may break the operation of banking applications and services with security protection (SafetyNet/Play Integrity). Use this method only if you understand the risks.
| Method | Difficulty | Requires Root | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special. applications | Low | No | Medium |
| File managers | Average | Partly | Medium |
| Touch Commands (Root) | High | Yes | High |
| Editing on PC | Medium | No | High |
Changing the date via connection to a computer
If mobile methods seem inconvenient, you can always use a personal computer. By connecting your smartphone via USB in file transfer mode (MTP), you get access to the videos as regular files on the disk.
In the Windows operating system, you can change the date through the file properties, but this often only changes the file system attributes, and not the internal tags of the video. For a guaranteed result, it is better to use specialized software on a PC, for example ExifTool or video editors.
The app ExifTool is a powerful tool for working with metadata. It allows you to batch process hundreds of files, shifting dates by a certain value or setting them hard. This is an ideal option for organizing a large archive.
How to use ExifTool for video?
Download the utility, open the command line in the video folder and enter: exiftool -DateTimeOriginal="2026:01:01 12:00:00" video.mp4. This will change the date of the original shooting inside the file.
After editing on the computer, you must correctly turn off the device. Simply pulling out the cable can damage the file table. Use Safely Remove Hardware in the Windows tray before unplugging the cable.
Problems with updating thumbnails and gallery cache
A common problem after changing the date is that the gallery continues to show videos in the old order. This happens because the Android media scanner caches file information for speed. It does not always respond instantly to changes within files.
To force the system to update the data, you can try clearing the cache of the Media Storage application (Media Storage). To do this, go to the application settings, find the system media storage and click “Clear cache”. After the phone restarts, the gallery will rescan all files.
In some cases, simply moving the file to another folder and moving it back helps. This action triggers a file system change event, causing the scanner to pay attention to the file and read new metadata.
⚠️ Attention: The application settings interface and the names of system services may differ depending on the version of Android and the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS). In new versions of Android, access to some system caches is limited.
If the gallery does not see the date change, forcing a restart of the media scanner by clearing the "Media Storage" cache is the most effective solution.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will the video quality change after changing the date?
No, if metadata editors are used correctly, the video stream is not compressed. Only the service information in the file header changes, so the quality of the picture and sound remains the same.
Why does the date in Google Photos not change after editing?
Google Photos often uses the upload date or the date the file was created on the server. Try deleting the photo from the cloud and uploading it again after changing the metadata on the device.
Is it possible to change the date of DRM-protected content?
No, files with digital rights protection (for example, downloaded movies from streaming services) have a cryptographic signature. Any attempt to change their structure will result in a playback error.
Is it safe to give applications access to all photos and videos?
The metadata editor requires access to the storage. However, check the developer's reputation. It is better to use well-known applications with open source code or a large number of positive reviews.
Will the date be reset when updating the Android system?
No, the metadata is stored inside the video file itself. Updating the operating system does not affect user files in memory unless a full reset of settings (Wipe Data) is performed.