Our cameras and smartphones will save the date and time when we take photos, known as the timestamp or datestamp. The timestamp typically includes information such as the day, month, year, hour, minute, and second. A datestamp typically refers specifically to the date information without explicitly referring to the time. But they are often used interchangeably. The date and time information of our photos are part of the metadata that describes and gives information about the files and they are usually not displayed on the photos, but stored within the file. Some devices, cameras or apps automatically include a timestamp on the photo. Many smartphones allow users to choose whether to display this information or not. Due to privacy considerations, some people may prefer to keep this information invisible or delete the timestamp information before sharing their photos online.
On iPhone, the stock Camera app will also save the datestamp along with our photos and videos captured on the phone. We can find the date and time photos were taken in the native Photos app or third-party photo apps, image managers or editors. When you have exported the photos from iPhone to a PC or Mac, you can also view the properties or metadata of them to access this information to see when the photos were taken.
Unlike many Android phones, the built-in Camera app on iPhone lacks a very important feature, displaying or adding date/time stamp to photos. As a result, we have to add a date and time stamp to our photos using third-party apps. You can visit the App Store to search for “timestamp”, “date time stamp” or similar, choose an app that suits your needs and download on your iPhone. There are several free and paid apps available.
Method 1. Manually add date & time to photos on iPhone
iPhone users can make use of the built-in markup tool in iOS to add any text to photos.
Step 1. Duplicate the photo first – recommended
Open the photo in the Photos app, duplicate the photo first if you want to keep the original, and save the edited version with timestamp separately.
Step 2. Stamp the photo
Open the copy of the photo which you want to stamp in Photos app. Tap Edit at the upper right corner, than tap the Markup button (nib inside a circle) in the upper right section. Tap the Add button to expand the menu with options to add Description, Text, Signature, Magnifier, shapes and more. Choose Text. A text box will appear on your photo. Tap inside the box and enter your text. You can also move and resize the text box as needed. Copy & paste the date and time or manually type in them. You can adjust the font, size, alignment, color of the date and time on the photo. Drag and drop the text(date and time stamp information) to anywhere on the photo as you wish. Finally tap Done to save the change. Now you have the photo stamped on iPhone.
Method 2. Automatically add date & time stamp to photos on iPhone
Other than manually adding the datestamp as text to photos, we can also use a date and time stamp app for iPhone iPad which makes the process more straightforward. As we mentioned above, you can visit the App Store to search for “timestamp”, “date time stamp” or similar, choose an app that suits your needs. We found Timestamp It – Photo Stamper is a nice option. It comes with both free and paid versions. Timestamp It can help us easily add a timestamp, a date stamp, and/or a caption to your photos for free.
Introducing Timestamp It – Photo Stamper app
Using the free version of this stamp app, you can select and stamp up to 3 different photos at once. It is ads-supported, you will see ads showing up in a very narrow bar at the bottom, not annoying though. Best of all, it won’t impose any watermark on your photos.
You can use its free version to timestamp / date-stamp existing photos saved on your iPhone. It could be much easier to automatically add timestamp to new photos in real time. Maybe this feature is available in its paid version. Also video stamping is only available with the paid version.
You can drag the timestamp anywhere on the photo, add custom caption, edit the stamp, change its color. However with the free version doesn’t allow users to customize the stamp style, format, font, etc.
Stamp photos on iPhone
Run the photo stamper app on iPhone. We’re using Timestamp It Photo Stamper version 5.4.4 which was released on Dec 12, 2023 in this demo. Choose the album where the photo you need to stamp on is saved. Once you select a photo, you will see the stamp option titled Tap here to stamp this item at the bottom. You can select up to 3 photos and stamp them at once. You have to purchase to stamp more than 3 media files at a time.
Tap on the clock icon in the upper right corner to edit the date & time, change the color. You can drag and drop the date & time stamp on the photo to relocate it, pinch to zoom it. Tap Stamp this media at the bottom. Unlike other date stamp apps, this photo stamp app will not modify the original photos. Instead those stamped photos will be saved to your Photos as new photos.
Method 3. Take photos with date and time stamp in real time
If you are looking for a fast way to add date/time stamps to photos in real time on iPhone, we recommend TimeStamp Camera app. Like the photo stamper app above, this one also comes with both free and paid versions. In this article, we will show you how to use its free version to stamp photos on iPhone.
About TimeStamp Camera app
It is free to download and use, without watermarks, with less ads but not those annoying full screen popup ads. Advanced users can pay an one-time fee through in-app purchase to unlock all features, remove advertisements forever. While most other camera apps, photo editors, photo stamp apps require a fee to download, need to view video ads in order to remove watermark, or can’t hide watermark without subscribing, display annoying ads.
Compared to the first photo date, time stamper app above, this app boasts a wealth of features.
- Support 81 timestamp formats.
- Change font, font color, font size, margins, positions, opacity, etc.
- Auto add address and GPS.
- Support custom text on camera.
- Display altitude and speed.
- Display map on the camera.
- Display compass on the camera.
- Import watermark logo image to display on the camera.
The basic version of Timestamp Camera app can help users add current date and time to new photos in real time. However you need to upgrade to the pro version in order to time stamp on existing photos and videos. So if you need to stamp on saved photos, use the Timestamp It – Photo Stamper app instead.
Stamp photos in real time on iPhone
Run the time stamper app on your iPhone. We are using Timestamp Camera Basic version 1.125 which was release on Nov 29, 2023 in the demonstration below. Grant it the permissions to access your Camera and Photos, use your location, access microphone. This app can add location information to photos and videos. Once the app gets the GPS and address information, it will display it on the camera preview in real time. Location information is also added to photo and video when taking photo or video. So if you need to put on GPS info on your photos and videos, choose Allow While Using App. Also this app can record video, if you want to record the sound information while recording video, you need to allow the microphone permissions. The app will use the microphone when you record a video with audio. Of course, it also allows users to record muted videos.
When you open the Stamp Camera app on iPhone, it will open your iPhone camera automatically. You can see the current date & time stamp being displayed in the preview, simply press the shutter button to take a picture with the date and time on it. Open the Camera Roll or Photos app to find the captured photo.
You can tap on the clock icon to reveal more options to customize the display and format of the date, time, GPS info, maps, altitude and more information on the photo. Switch from the Format to Position, Font, Input and Opacity for greater customisations to the photo stamps.