Allow using date codes from what'sApp filenames

Oriel

I have a large library of images coming from whatsapp, these are synced to PC via cloud drive and have have a “created” and “modified” dates relating to when the files was synced. These files also don’t seem to have EXIF/metadata, but they do have a date code in the filename in a IMG-YYYYMMDD-WAxxxx, for example: IMG-20180414-WA0033.

Having an option to use these dates codes to sort on timeline/events would be amazing

Thanks!

Andrey

Oriel that is interesting. Can you please tell more about your syncing strategy? Who exactly in this toolchain is responsible for naming files like that? Date encoded this way in the file - is that image creation date or message arrival date?

I know that best solution would be creation of WhatsApp connector just like it is done with Telegram, but unfortunately, WhatsApp does not have public API.

Oriel

My setup uses folder/file (not picture) sync of certain folders on my Android phone to oneDrive. The files are named as such by whatsApp itself and stored locally on android FS in dedicated folders “whatsApp Images” “whatsApp videos” etc.
These folders are continuously updated (when wi-fi is available), and proceeds to sync to my PC (again, when possible).
To be honest, i’m not sure if the date in filename denotes “captured”/“created”/“sent”/“recieved” - but either would still be closer than what’s available now.

Andrey

Oriel thank you for providing details. I have to admit that I cannot give high priority to that request right now, as it is too specific to your particular setup, and there is no guarantee that WhatsApp will keep this file format going forward. However, if more people will vote for that suggestion, I will definitely reconsider priority.

Oriel

Totally understandable, i would note that researching online, this seems like a recurring request from image organizing/labeling SW.
there are existing tools to take the filename date code and push it to EXIF, i’m going to look into adapting one of these to my use.