Overview
Every photo taken during an inspection shows the time it was captured. That time comes from the clock on the device that took the photo, and HappyCo shows it exactly as the device recorded it.
This helps you confirm that the photos in an inspection came from that walk. A photo taken weeks ago and uploaded from a phone's camera roll shows its original date, not today's.
Getting Started
There is nothing to turn on. Capture times are available to everyone.
To see a photo's capture time:
- Open a completed inspection in HappyCo Manage.
- Click a photo to open it full size.
- Read the caption in the header above the photo.
You will see one of two things:
- Photo taken May 2, 2026, 3:42 PM — the date and time the photo was captured.
- Photo capture time cannot be found — the image carries no capture data.
Capture times appear when a photo is open full size. They are not shown on thumbnails or in the photo grid.
🚧 Reading the "Device local time" Label
You will see the label Device local time next to photo capture times. It means the time you are looking at is the local time where the photo was taken, on the device that took it.
HappyCo does not change that time to match:
- your own timezone
- the timezone set on the property
- the timezone of the server
An example. An inspector in Denver photographs a unit at 2:32pm. A Regional Manager in Sydney opens the same photo the next morning. Both see 2:32pm. The time does not shift.
Why it works this way. Photo times are recorded without a timezone attached. Showing the time as captured keeps it accurate to the moment the inspector was standing in the unit. Converting it would change what the inspector saw and recorded.
Select the label to open this article at any time.
Understanding What the Capture Time Tells You
It is the time the photo was taken, not uploaded. Cameras write the date and time onto an image the moment the shutter fires. That is the value shown. If someone photographs a unit in March and uploads that image in September, the caption reads March.
It never falls back to the upload time. If the capture data is missing, HappyCo tells you it is missing rather than showing a different time in its place.
It is information, not enforcement. Nothing is flagged, blocked, or rejected automatically. You read the caption and decide.
A date that does not match the walk is a good reason to ask a question, not a conclusion on its own. Device clocks can be set incorrectly, and some apps rewrite image data when a photo passes through them.
Handling Photos With No Capture Time
Some images arrive without camera data. This is normal and does not mean anything is wrong with the photo. It commonly happens with:
- Screenshots
- Images that have been edited or resized
- Images shared through a messaging or social app before being uploaded
A single photo without capture data is routine. A consistent pattern across one person's inspections is worth a closer look.
Reading Capture Times in Reports
Inspection reports print the same capture times you see in HappyCo Manage. 🚧 Each report also includes one line noting that photo times are shown in the local time of the capture device.
The date is written more compactly in the report (08/14/2026 2:32 PM) than in the photo viewer (Aug 14, 2026, 2:32 PM). The time itself is the same.
Correcting a Time That Looks Wrong
Check the clock on the device that took the photo. If the device clock is set incorrectly, the capture time will reflect that. Correct the device clock, then take new photos for anything that needs an accurate time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the capture time come from?
From the photo file itself. Cameras record the date and time when the photo is taken, and HappyCo reads that value.
Is this when the photo was uploaded to HappyCo?
No. It is when the photo was taken.
Is the time shown in my timezone?
No. It is shown exactly as the camera recorded it, which is the local time where the photo was taken. 🚧 The Device local time label next to the capture time is there to remind you.
Why do some photos say the capture time cannot be found?
Those images carry no camera data. Screenshots and edited images often lose it.
Do capture times appear in the inspection report?
Yes. Reports show the same capture times, with the date written in a shorter format.
Can I see capture times on thumbnails?
Not in this release. Open the photo full size.
Does this apply to videos?
Not in this release. Capture times are shown on photos.
Can I see capture times in the mobile app?
🚧 Not yet — this is planned. For now, open the inspection in HappyCo Manage on the web.
Do I need to turn anything on?
No. Capture times are on for everyone.
Does this stop someone uploading an old photo?
No. It shows you when the photo was taken so you can tell.
Is this available in Spanish?
Yes. The caption follows your language setting.=