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wotsit_thing's avatar
wotsit_thing
Copper Contributor
Jan 24, 2026

Metadata for .mov files radically different to originals

My iPhone's photos and videos are backed up to OneDrive.

The files are al synced to my PC hard drive.

I'm just clearing off some of the larger .mov files from my iPhone as a quick way to make space. I reconcile that they've definitely been backed up by finding the file on my PC. Only, when I'm doing this the videos aren't there!

Thankfully, they are, but with completely different dates and timestamps. For example, a video I took at 0715 on 1 December 2025 shows on my PC as 2 December 2025 at 1458!

This is a nightmare scenario.

I've also tried Date Created, Date Modified and Date Taken (always blank for .mov files) but none accurately correspond with the correct date and timestamps on my iPhone.

Has anyone else experienced this or found a work around?

.mov
Metadata

4 Replies

  • NikolinoDE's avatar
    NikolinoDE
    Platinum Contributor
    Jan 26, 2026

    If you want your files on the PC to display the correct date in the main Explorer view (so you can sort them correctly), you need a tool to copy the internal "Media Created" date to the File System "Date Created".

    Use metadata-aware tools, not Explorer.

    You need a tool that reads embedded video metadata, not file system dates.

    The industry standard tool for this is ExifTool. It is a command-line tool, but it is the only reliable way to batch fix this on Windows.

    Or V L C Media Player, This often shows the correct timestamp even when Explorer doesn’t.

     

    Before deleting videos from your phone:

    1. Verify using embedded metadata, not file dates
    2. Prefer:

    ExifTool

    VL C

         3. Do not rely on:

    Date Created

    Date Modified

    File name order

     

     

    My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

     

    Hope this will help you.

    • wotsit_thing's avatar
      wotsit_thing
      Copper Contributor
      Jan 27, 2026

      Thanks NikolinoDE!

      I've installed ExifTool with the GUI by FrankBijnen.

      The date and time stamps in there appear correct to the second - phew!  That's good news.  But it leaves me questioning where on Earth Windows is pulling the errant date and times from when there's no sign of them in the metadata... and how to correct it.

      This never used to happen with iOS and OneDrive backups.

      • NikolinoDE's avatar
        NikolinoDE
        Platinum Contributor
        Feb 03, 2026

        Since you already have ExifTool GUI installed:

         1. Batch update File System timestamps from embedded metadata:

        Use ExifTool to copy the embedded MediaCreateDate or CreateDate to Windows “Date Created” and “Date Modified”.
        Example command line (GUI usually lets you do this with checkboxes):

        exiftool "-FileCreateDate<MediaCreateDate" "-FileModifyDate<MediaCreateDate" *.mov

        • This will overwrite the file system timestamps with the correct media date.
        • Your Explorer will now sort correctly.

        2. Verify using Explorer after running the tool.

        • The file should now display the timestamp that matches your iPhone video.

         

        Note…

        • Date Taken in Explorer is often blank for .MOV — don’t rely on it.
        • VL C Media Player reads embedded metadata directly and shows the correct date/time — handy for verification.

         

        My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

         

        Hope this will help you.