User profile for user: Daniel Stonek
Daniel Stonek Author
User level: Level 1
40 points

Keep original dates when copying images from Photos to Desktop

I understand that copying an image from Photos to MacOS desktop creates a new file with its new dates as 'now'.

Why not something like 'Copy File' instead of 'New File'?

Or at least make the changes while copying to show in Finder and Get Info the original 'Date Created' file.

Is it that hard?

Is there anybody who finds useful to see all dates as the one where the image was copied instead of, at least, Date Created as the date when the image was taken (at least one of the tags)?


Before (from Photos)


After (from Get Info)


Is it possible to manually (bulk) change Date Created?

How so?

Seems not possible with exiftool.

Thank you

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Apr 1, 2024 6:51 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: léonie
léonie
User level: Level 10
200,747 points

Posted on Apr 1, 2024 7:14 AM

Which version of MacOS are you using on your Mac?


When I use "File > Export > Export .. Photos" for a batch of selected images in Photos, the file creation date will be the capture date, that has been assigned in photos, not the date and time of export. But this is only the case in the most recent version of macOS 14 Sonoma, not in the older system versions.

I just tested again an exported a few scanned slides I have taken in 1983 and where I changed the capture date in Photos to 1983, and the file creation date of the exported files is the date I assigned in Photos. Only the file modification date is the date and time of the export.


View in context

Similar questions

7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: léonie
léonie
User level: Level 10
200,747 points

Apr 1, 2024 7:14 AM in response to Daniel Stonek

Which version of MacOS are you using on your Mac?


When I use "File > Export > Export .. Photos" for a batch of selected images in Photos, the file creation date will be the capture date, that has been assigned in photos, not the date and time of export. But this is only the case in the most recent version of macOS 14 Sonoma, not in the older system versions.

I just tested again an exported a few scanned slides I have taken in 1983 and where I changed the capture date in Photos to 1983, and the file creation date of the exported files is the date I assigned in Photos. Only the file modification date is the date and time of the export.


Reply
User profile for user: léonie
léonie
User level: Level 10
200,747 points

Apr 1, 2024 9:04 AM in response to Daniel Stonek

The easiest way to export your photos from Photos would be to export them on a Mac with macOS 14 Sonoma.

But you would have to export from copies of the Photos Libraries - if you open any library in Photos on a Mac with Sonoma, the library can no longer be opened on a Mac with Monterey.

If your Mac are in sync with iCloud Photos, you can still export the originals on Mac with an optimized iCloud Photos Library.

Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Keep original dates when copying images from Photos to Desktop

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up