WhatsApp continues to lead the messaging app landscape, far surpassing alternatives like Telegram or Signal. Thanks to constant updates and the integration of new features, Meta's proprietary tool remains the global choice for sharing messages, images, videos, and documents among millions of users.
One of the most interesting aspects for many users is know the exact date a photo was sent or received via WhatsAppThis data can be useful not only for remembering specific moments or resolving misunderstandings, but is also relevant in work, family, and even legal contexts. However, as the app evolves and file management becomes more sophisticated, the methods for obtaining this information have changed and become more diverse.
In this comprehensive tutorial you will discover All the existing ways to know the date of a photo sent by WhatsApp: from classic methods directly in the conversation, through gallery consultation or using specific metadata applications, to advanced alternatives that allow you to see additional details such as the device with which the image was taken or its location, as long as this data remains available after sending.
Traditional method from WhatsApp conversation
The most direct and simple method to Find out the date you received or sent a photo via WhatsApp It consists of going directly to the chat where the image was shared. This procedure is quick and doesn't require any additional installation. Simply scroll down to the image in question to see the exact time and date next to the photo itself.
However, this method can be cumbersome if the image was sent a long time ago or if the conversation has been very active and includes hundreds of messages and files. In that case, finding the photo may take a while, but WhatsApp always displays the timestamp next to each media file..
In addition to being able to check this information to satisfy a simple curiosity, it is especially useful if you intend to forward the image to another contact recalling its original context or confirming when the event the photo refers to occurred.
As if that weren't enough, the photo taken in the conversation will not only show you the date and time, but you can also access more details, such as forwarding it, marking it as a favorite, or viewing information about the sender or recipient.
- Open WhatsApp on your mobile device
- Access the chat where the photo was sent or received.
- Scroll through the conversation until the image is located.
- Right at the top or bottom of the image you'll see the date and time it was shared.
Images, videos and documents sent via WhatsApp show exact time details, including minutes., which makes it easier to pinpoint the time of sending or receiving. Additionally, you can use the search function for words or files in the conversation to narrow down your search, especially in highly active chats.
Optional method: Advanced search in files, links and documents
This alternative method takes advantage of one of the most useful sections of WhatsApp: the search engine for files, links and documents shared in each chatWith this panel, you can quickly filter all images sent or received with a contact.
- Open WhatsApp and go to the conversation .
- Tap the name of the contact or group at the top of the chat.
- Go to the "Files, links and docs" section.
- Find the desired image in “Files” and tap on it.
- In the preview, you will see the exact date and time at the top of the screen.
- If you need to see the context, you can tap the three dots and select the "Show in chat" option to automatically jump to the original message.
This method is extremely efficient for large volumes of files.
, as it allows you to locate old photographs without endless scrolling. Also, if you want share high-quality images, knowing the exact date can be crucial.
Plus, it's ideal if you want to take a screenshot and share it with other contacts, showing the date and time information just as it appears in WhatsApp.
Check the date using your phone's photo gallery
Another very effective option, especially if you don't remember the conversation in which the photo was sent, is go directly to the phone's photo galleryOn both Android and iPhone, images received via WhatsApp are usually automatically stored in the "WhatsApp Images" folder, although this behavior can be configured from the app's settings.
- Open the Gallery or Google Photos app on your mobile.
- Locate the “WhatsApp Images” folder or similar.
- look for the image and tap it to enlarge.
- At the top, the exact date of admission on your device, as well as the time in the “Details” section.
This method is especially useful for performing global searches across all images received from different conversations. Furthermore, In the gallery you can easily filter and search for images, or even access Google Photos features that allow you to see additional details about each file.
Keep in mind that the The date that appears in the gallery is the date it was received on your device., not always the one captured with the original camera. This is due to how WhatsApp handles file saving.
How to view the metadata of a photo sent via WhatsApp
When talking about metadata in an image, refers to additional information that accompanies the photo file: date and time of capture, geographic coordinates, camera model, and even technical parameters such as aperture, exposure, ISO, and others. Consulting the metadata can be a way to find out detailed information about a photo received via WhatsApp.
But it is essential to understand that WhatsApp compresses most images that are sent by the app, removing most of the original EXIF metadata, such as GPS location or capture date. The only case where the original metadata is preserved is when the image is sent as a document (attachment), instead of as a normal image.
There are several ways to view a photo's metadata:
- Google Photos: When you open an image and swipe up, a details section appears with the available information.
- Your mobile gallery: Tap on the image, access the “Details” menu, and explore the available fields depending on your device.
- specialized applications: There are apps to view, modify or delete EXIF metadata on Android, such as Photo Metadata Viewer or Photo Exif Editor.
If you received the image as a document or it was emailed to you, follow these steps:
- Download the image to your device.
- Open it in Google Photos or an EXIF metadata app.
- Check the “Details” section to see fields such as capture date, device, location, etc.
Remember: if the photo was sent as a normal image, it is common that the capture metadata is not preserved.In that case, you'll only get the receipt date on WhatsApp.
How to view the metadata of a WhatsApp photo using apps
If you're looking for advanced information about a photo received via WhatsApp, there are very useful tools on Google Play. Two of the most comprehensive, according to experts, are:
- Photo Metadata Viewer: Allows you to examine hidden details in your images. It displays technical information such as aperture, brightness, zoom, date, location (if available), camera model, and much more. It's very easy to use and doesn't require any in-depth knowledge.
- Photo Exif Editor: Provides access to all EXIF metadata for the photo, with the option to edit or delete it. Its intuitive interface allows you to edit data such as date, location, device, ISO speed, and more.
To use them, simply install the app, select the image from your gallery (remember that it must be the original, uncompressed file to preserve its metadata), and explore all the available information.
Many users also wonder if they can remove or edit metadata before submitting a sensitive imageBoth apps make it easy to do this, ensuring your privacy if you want to share a photo without revealing the location, the actual date, or the device it was taken on.
Is it possible to know the actual location and capture date of a photo received via WhatsApp?
Many users want to know not only when they received the photo, but also where and when it was actually taken that image. This is especially relevant for images with documentary value, evidence, travel souvenirs, or personal events.
However, WhatsApp removes location and most EXIF metadata when sending regular images. Only if the photo is sent as a document or attachment is the original information retained.
In these cases, you can resort to alternatives such as:
- Request the original file from the contact. Request that the image be sent to you as a document, by email, or through another means that doesn't compress or edit the file.
- Apply Google Lens from Google Photos to try to identify the location of the capture if a recognizable point appears in the image.
- Observe distinctive elements of the photo, such as clothing, events, seasons, or signs, that help you deduce the location or approximate time of the shot.
The ability to determine the exact location and time a WhatsApp photo was taken depends on how it was originally shared. If you don't have access to the metadata, try obtaining the original file, visually analyzing the image, or using photo recognition tools like Google Lens.
Check the date of a photo sent via WhatsApp on your computer
Many users manage their files from their computers, whether on Windows or Mac. You can access photos sent or received through WhatsApp Web or by downloading them directly to your computer. Additionally, you can use the web version of Google Photos to manage and view details of the images uploaded to your account.
- Accede to Google Photos from your browser.
- Sign in with the account linked to the phone where you received the photo.
- Find the image in question and click on it to see details such as date and time of upload.
- If you downloaded it from WhatsApp Web, check the file properties using your computer's file explorer.
Frequently asked questions about WhatsApp photo date stamps
- Why is the date in the gallery different from the capture date? Because WhatsApp assigns the download date when receiving the image, not the original capture date if the image was compressed.
- How do I prevent metadata from being deleted when uploading photos? Send them as a document instead of an image to preserve the original EXIF data.
- Do images sent via WhatsApp always lose metadata? Yes, unless they are sent as a document. Standard delivery reduces the size and removes the original information.
- Can the original date be recovered if it was lost? Only if you have access to the original, unedited file. In WhatsApp, you'll only see the reception date.
There are Various ways to know the date a photo was sent via WhatsAppThe most basic option is found directly in the conversation, but you have advanced methods for bulk queries, gallery analysis, and metadata management. If you really need the original capture information, make sure you receive the image as a document or request the uncompressed file. Additionally, tools like Google Photos, EXIF apps, and Google Lens can expand the visible information, although this will always depend on how the photo was sent and WhatsApp's privacy policies.