Every photo taken during an inspection shows the time it was captured (its capture timestamp), read from the clock on the device that took it and shown exactly as that device recorded it. Use it to confirm that the photos in an inspection came from that walk.
In this article
Captured in HPMA, reviewed in Manage
Inspections are captured on-site in HPMA, the Happy Property Maintenance App, including item photos. Completed inspections are reviewed and reported in Manage on the web.
Before you start
- Nothing to turn on
- Capture times are available to everyone
View a photo's capture time in Manage
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Open a completed inspection in Manage
In HappyCo Manage on the web, open a completed inspection. -
Open a photo full size
Click a photo to open it full size.
TipCapture times are not shown on thumbnails or in the photo grid.
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Read the caption above the photo
Read the caption in the header above the photo. TipThe caption shows either the date and time the photo was taken, or that the capture time cannot be found.
| Caption | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Photo taken (date and time), for instance: 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 |
Reading the Device local time label
The label Device local time appears next to photo capture times. It means the time shown is the local time where the photo was taken, on the device that took it. Select the label to open this article at any time.
- Not converted to your own timezone
- Not converted to the timezone set on the property
- Not converted to the timezone of the server
The time never shifts between viewers
For instance, an inspector in Denver photographs a unit at 2:32pm, and a Regional Manager in Sydney opens the same photo the next morning. Both see 2:32pm.
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.
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 when the shutter fires
- A photo taken in March and uploaded in September reads March
- A photo taken weeks ago and uploaded from a camera roll shows its original date
- It never falls back to the upload time: missing data is shown as missing
- Nothing is flagged, blocked or rejected automatically: you read the caption and decide
A mismatched date is a question, not a conclusion
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.
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 upload
Look for patterns, not single photos
A single photo without capture data is routine. A consistent pattern across one person's inspections is worth a closer look.
Capture times in inspection 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 report writes the date more compactly than the photo viewer. For instance, 08/14/2026 2:32 PM in the report and Aug 14, 2026, 2:32 PM in the viewer. The time itself is the same.
Correcting a capture time that looks wrong
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Check the clock on the device that took the photo
Check the device's date and time settings. TipIf the device clock is set incorrectly, the capture time reflects that.
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Correct the device clock
Set the device clock to the correct time. -
Retake the photos
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.
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.