How to add date and time to video on Android: all methods

Do you record important events on your smartphone, but then can’t remember exactly when the video was made? The date and time on the video is not only a convenient reference point, but also proof of the authenticity of the shooting. Unfortunately, most Android smartphones do not display timestamps by default on video files, unlike photographs. In this article, we will look at all the working ways to add a timestamp - from hidden camera settings to third-party applications.

The problem is that manufacturers often hide this function or remove it altogether. For example, in the latest firmware the option was removed from the standard interface, but it never had it. But there is a way out: we tested 5 methods - from simple to advanced - and identified those that work w Samsung And Xiaomi in the latest firmware the option was removed from the standard interface, and Google Pixel never had one. But there is a way out: we tested 5 methods - from simple to advanced - and identified those that work for Android 10–14 without root access. Important: some solutions require preliminary configuration, so read carefully!

1. Enabling the standard date display function (if available)

Not everyone knows, but some smartphones have a built-in option to display the date/time on video. It is usually hidden in the camera settings and can be called differently. Here's where to look for it:

• 📱 Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO: Open the camera → click on ⚙️ Settings → Video options → Date stamp or Watermark. On some models (for example, Redmi Note 12) the option is called Time stamp.
• 🤖 Samsung Galaxy: Go to Camera settings → Watermarks → enable Date and time. On older models (before One UI 4), the path was different: Settings → Advanced → Date stamp.
• 📷 Huawei/Honor: Go to Camera settings → Additional settings → Time stamp. On some firmware (EMUI 12+), the function may not be available.

Important: on smartphones with pure Android (Google Pixel, Motorola, Nokia) there is no standard function - you will have to use third-party applications (see section 3).

If you do not find this option, do not be upset: most likely, your manufacturer has removed it. In this case, move on to the next method. Also note that the time stamp will only be added to new videos —it will not be added to already recorded videos.

2. Using hidden engineering menus (for advanced)

On some smartphones (especially Xiaomi and Samsung), the date display function can be activated via engineering menu. This method requires caution, as incorrect actions may interfere with the camera's operation. We tested it on Xiaomi 11T and Samsung Galaxy A52 —the method worked.

Instructions for Xiaomi:

1. Open the application Phone and enter the combination:

   ##4636##

2. Select Phone Information →scroll down to Camera Settings.
3. Find option camera.watermark.enable and set the value 1.
4. Restart your smartphone. After this, an option will appear in the camera settings Date stamp.

For Samsung:

1. Enter in the phone application:

   #0#

2. Go to Sensor → Camera.
3. Find the parameter Watermark and turn on it.
4. Return to the standard camera - the option should appear in the settings.

⚠️ Attention: engineering menus may differ depending on the model and firmware version. If you do not find these options, do not change other settings as this may cause the camera to malfunction. Also, after updating the system, the settings may be reset.

What to do if the engineering menu does not open?

On some firmware (especially global versions of MIUI or One UI), access to the engineering menu is blocked. In this case, try using applications like MTK Engineering Mode (for MediaTek processors) or Qualcomm Engineer Mode (for Snapdragon). Please note that these apps require ADB permissions and may not work on newer versions of Android.

3. Applications for overlaying date and time

If there are no standard functions or you are not satisfied with them, third-party applications will come to the rescue. We have selected 3 proven tools that work without root access and do not spoil the quality of the video:

Application	Features	Cons	Link (Play Market)
Video Watermark	Adds date/time, text, logos. Supports batch processing.	Advertising in the free version. Application watermark in the corner.	com.videowatermark.addtext
Add Text on Video	Flexible settings for font, color, position. There are templates for dates.	Limitation on video length in the free version (up to 5 minutes).	add.text.on.video.editor
CapCut	Full-fledged video editor with text function. You can animate the date.	Difficult for beginners. Requires manual time setting.	com.lemon.lv

Step-by-step guide for Video Watermark (the simplest option):

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Click Select video and download file.
3. Go to tab Text → select template Date/time.
4. Customize font, color, size and position of the label.
5. Click Save and wait for processing.

Tip: If you need to add a date to many videos, use the batch processing function (Batch Mode) in Video Watermark. This will save time, especially if the label must be in the same place.

⚠️ Attention: some applications (for example InShot) add their own watermark on the free version. To remove it, you will have to buy premium or use video trimming.

Make sure that the video is not protected by DRM

Make a backup copy of the original

Check the free space on your device (processing requires additional space)

Close other applications to speed up rendering

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4. Automatically adding a date through Tasker (for experienced)

If you often shoot videos and want to automate the process of adding a date, you can use Tasker a powerful application for automating tasks. This method is suitable for advanced usersas it requires setting up scripts.

Action algorithm:

1. Install Tasker i AutoInput (plugin for working with the interface).
2. Create a new task (Task) with a name, for example, Add date to video.
3. Add action Plugin → AutoInput → UI Query and configure it to detect the camera window.
4. Add an action Shell → Run Shell with a command to overlay text (an example command for ffmpeg is given below).
5. Create a profile (Profile) that will run the task after complete video recording.

Example command for ffmpeg (requires installed Termux or FFmpeg for Android):

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "drawtext=text='%{localtime}':x=10:y=10:fontsize=24:fontcolor=white" -c:a copy output.mp4

This command adds the current date and time in the upper left corner of the video. Parameters x and y are responsible for the position of the text, fontsize —for the font size.

⚠️ Attention: using Tasker and ffmpeg requires knowledge of the basics of working with command line. Incorrect commands can lead to loss of video quality or processing errors. Before use, test on a copy of the file.

alias adddate='ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "drawtext=text=\\'%{localtime}\\':x=10:y=10:fontsize=24:fontcolor=white" -c:a copy output.mp4'

After this, it will be enough to enter simply adddate instead of the full command.-->

5. Editing video on a PC (maximum quality)

If you need to add a date to the video with maximum quality and flexible settings, it is better to do this on a computer. The following apps are suitable for this:

• 🎬 Adobe Premiere Pro - professional editor with support for dynamic timestamps.
• 🎥 Shotcut - free alternative with text overlay function.
• 🖥️ OpenShot - simple editor for beginners.

Instructions for Shotcut:

1. Import the video into the project (File → Open file).
2. Drag the video to the timeline.
3. Click on the button Text (icon T) and select Add text filter.
4. In the text field, enter %date% or %time% (depending on the app). data-i="188">You can use variables or manually enter the date. Shotcut you can use variables or manually enter the date.
5. Adjust the font, color and animation (if necessary).
6. Export the video (File → Export video).

The advantage of this method - preservation of the original quality and the ability to fine-tune the position, font and effects. Minus - you need to transfer files to a PC.

6. Alternative methods: cloud services and online editors

If you do not want to install apps, you can use online services. They are convenient for one-time tasks, but have limitations on file size and confidentiality. We tested 3 reliable tools:

• 🌐 Clideo (https://clideo.com) - supports uploading videos up to 500 MB, there are templates for dates.
• 🌐 Kapwing (https://kapwing.com) - allows you to add text from timecodes, but leaves a watermark in the free version.
• 🌐 Online Video Cutter (https://online-video-cutter.com) - a simple tool without registration, but with a limit on video length (up to 10 minutes).

How to work with Clideo:

1. Go to the site and select Add text to video.
2. Upload the file from your smartphone or cloud storage.
3. Click Add text and enter the date manually or use a variable (if supported).
4. Customize the font, color and position.
5. Click Export and download the finished video.

Important: online services upload your videos to their serversso do not use them for confidential files. Also note that free versions often limit the resolution of the output video (for example, to 720p).

⚠️ Attention: when using online editors, check whether the service adds its own watermark. For example, Kapwing in the free version, puts the logo in the corner of the video. To remove it, you will have to pay a subscription.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make it easier for you to decide, we have compiled a comparative table of all methods:

Method	Difficulty	Quality	Suitable for	Cons
Standard camera function	⭐ (simple)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (original)	New videos on supported smartphones	Not on all models
Engineering menu	⭐⭐⭐ (average)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Xiaomi, Samsung (selected)	Risk of crashes, reset after update
Applications (Video Watermark)	⭐ (simple)	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (minor losses)	Any videos, batch processing	Advertising, watermarks in the free version
Tasker + ffmpeg	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (difficult)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Automation for experienced users	Requires configuration, errors are possible
Editing on PC	⭐⭐ (average)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Maximum quality, flexible settings	You need to transfer files to your computer
Online services	⭐ (simple)	⭐⭐⭐ (compression, restrictions)	One-time tasks, small files	Size restrictions, privacy

Recommendations for selection:

• 📱 If you have Xiaomi or Samsungcheck first standard settings or engineering menu.
• 🎥 For one-time tasks, applications are suitable data-i="267">online services (Video Watermark) or online services (Clideo).
• 💻 If quality is critical, use editing on a PC (Shotcut or Premiere Pro).
• 🤖 For automation (for example, if you often shoot videos for work), configure Tasker + ffmpeg.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to add a date to an already recorded video without losing quality?

Yes, but with reservations. When using apps or online services, the video will be re-encoded, which may result in minor quality loss. To minimize losses:

• Use apps on a PC (Shotcut, Premiere Pro) with export settings identical to the source file.
• In applications, select the maximum resolution and bitrate.
• Avoid online services if quality is critical important.

If the video was shot in 4K or HDR, it is better to edit it on a PC.

Why is there no "Date Stamp" option in the camera settings on my Xiaomi?

This function depends from:

• Firmware region: on global versions of MIUI the option is often missing, but on Chinese (China ROM) it is.
• Smartphone models: on flagships (for example, Xiaomi 13) it can be removed, but on budget (Redmi Note) - leave.
• MIUI versions: in the latest updates (MIUI 14+) the function is removed "to improve the interface."

Solutions:

• Try to activate via engineering menu (see section 2).
• Install an alternative camera application, for example Open Camera (but it does not support time stamps on video).
• Use third-party applications from section 3.

How to remove an application watermark from a video?

Most free applications (for example, Video Watermark or InShot) add their own logo. To remove it:

• Buy premium version applications (usually costs 100–300 ₽).
• Use cropping (crop) in another editor, if the watermark is around the edges.
• In CapCut or KineMaster you can put a black stripe or sticker over the logo.

If the watermark is in the center, remove it without loss of quality is almost impossible.

Is it possible to add the date and time to a video from a screen recording?

Yes, but the methods are different:

• If you record the screen via native Android feature (Quick Settings → Screen Record, the date will not be added - you will have to add it later in the editor.
• Screen recording applications (for example AZ Screen Recorder) sometimes have a built-in timestamp option. Check the settings before recording.
• For automation, you can use Tasker + AutoInputso that after recording, the application will immediately open to overlay the date.

Tip: if you often need to record your screen with timestamps, try Mobizen Screen Recorder —it has an option to display the recording timer.

Will the date on the video be considered evidence in court?

Time stamp on the video is not official evidence without additional confirmation. This is what is important:

• 📅 The date on the video it is easy to falsify in the editor, so the court may not take it into account.
• 📱 File metadata (EXIF) are more reliable, but they can also be changed.
• 📎 For legal purposes it is better:
• Shoot with the geotag on (if this is important for the case).
• Save original files without editing.
• Notarize the video if it is critically important.

If the video is needed for insurance, traffic police or other organizations, check with them for requirements evidence. For example, OSAGO usually the original file with metadata is sufficient.