How to Add a Date/Time Stamp to Photos on Your Phone

Tap your device to see how.

The built-in Camera app has no timestamp feature, so you will need to install a dedicated date/time stamp camera app from the App Store to shoot with one.

Some manufacturers' camera apps include a built-in 'Timestamp' option in settings; if yours does not, you can install a separate timestamp camera app.

For photos you have already taken, a text sticker feature in a photo editing app can add a date or time stamp after the fact.

It is useful whenever a photo needs to visibly show when it was taken, such as for site documentation or as proof of an inspection.

When a photo needs to prove when it was taken

On a construction site, during an inspection, or for any kind of documentation photo, having the date and time burned directly into the image means anyone looking at it later knows exactly when it was taken, without needing a separate note or caption.

This is general information, not a compliance guarantee

A visible timestamp is a helpful practical habit, but if you need photos for legal, insurance, or regulatory purposes, check the specific documentation requirements for your situation, since acceptable formats and standards vary by organization and jurisdiction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the default camera app really have no timestamp feature?

Most default camera apps only save the capture time in the photo's hidden metadata rather than displaying it on screen, so a dedicated app is needed to burn a visible stamp into the image.

Can I remove a timestamp afterward?

A stamp burned directly into the image is difficult to remove cleanly through editing, so it is a good idea to keep the original, unstamped photo saved separately if you might need it later.