iCloud Photo Date Organizer
Sort photos and videos downloaded from iCloud into year and month folders using their capture date, preview every new name and download an organised copy as a ZIP.
- EXIF date, filename, then file date
- YYYY/MM presets
- Collision-safe ZIP copy
Your files are processed locally in your browser and are not uploaded to A2Z Tools.
Photo Date Organizer workspace
Before you start
- Up to 2,000 files and 4 GB in one ZIP - browsers hold the archive in memory.
- Your original files are never renamed or moved; you download organised copies.
- Files dated only by their modified date are flagged, because copying can change that date.
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Turn a messy iCloud download into dated folders
Photos downloaded from iCloud usually arrive in one long folder, or several ZIP parts, named IMG_0001, IMG_0002 and so on, with no sense of when anything was taken. The Photo Date Organizer reads the date inside each photo and video and builds a copy of your collection sorted into folders such as 2024/06, ready to archive on a drive or import into another photo app.
Getting the photos first
Download a selection from Photos on iCloud.com, let iCloud for Windows copy your library to a folder on your PC, or request a copy of your data through Apple's Data and Privacy site and unzip the parts. The organizer never signs in to or contacts your iCloud account; it only works with the files you choose on this page.
How each date is chosen
- EXIF capture date. Cameras and iPhones write the moment a photo was taken into the photo itself, including HEIC photos.
- Video header. MOV and MP4 videos carry a creation time in their movie header. It is stored in UTC and shown in your computer's time zone.
- File name. Names such as IMG_20240614_093012, PXL_20240614_093012345, WhatsApp Image 2024-06-14 at 09.30.12, Screenshot 2024-06-14 at 9.30.12 PM and IMG-20240614-WA0001 contain a date. Impossible dates, such as 30 February, are ignored.
- Modified date. If nothing else is available the file's modified date is used and the file is flagged, because downloading or copying often resets it to the day of the copy.
Folders, names and clashes
Choose YYYY/MM, YYYY/MM/DD, YYYY/YYYY-MM or a single folder, and keep original names or put the date first, as in 2024-06-14 093012 IMG_0001.HEIC. The live preview shows every folder with its file count and size, and every file with the source of its date. When two different photos would end up with the same name in the same folder, the later one becomes IMG_0001 (2).JPG, and the preview shows exactly that name, so the ZIP matches what you saw.
Downloading the organised copy
The ZIP is built in your browser from copies of your files, stored without recompression so photos keep their original quality. A CSV lists each original path next to its new path and date source. Your original files are never renamed, moved or changed.
Limitations
- One ZIP holds up to 2,000 files and 4 GB, because the browser keeps it in memory.
- AAE edit sidecars and other non-media files are skipped.
- Photos saved by messaging apps and screenshots often carry no EXIF date.
- Larger collections can be organised in batches of up to 2,000 files, each with its own ZIP and CSV mapping.
Before deleting anything from iCloud, open the ZIP and check a few folders, especially any files flagged as dated by their modified date.
Privacy
Dates are read and the ZIP is built entirely on your device. Nothing is uploaded.
A2Z Tools is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple Inc. iCloud, iPhone and Apple are trademarks of Apple Inc.
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Key facts
- Date order: EXIF capture date, video header creation time, date in the file name, then modified date.
- Files dated only by their modified date are flagged, because copying can change that date.
- Folder presets: YYYY/MM, YYYY/MM/DD, YYYY/YYYY-MM or one folder, with optional date-first names.
- Two files that would land on the same path are numbered, for example IMG_0001 (2).JPG.
- Up to 2,000 files and 4 GB in one ZIP, built in the browser.
- Also downloads a CSV mapping every original path to its new path.
How to use it
- Download your photos and videos from iCloud to your computer.
- Choose the files or their folder; the organizer reads each date.
- Pick a folder structure and naming style and check the live folder preview.
- Download the organised ZIP and the CSV mapping.
Frequently asked questions
Will this rename or move my original photos?
No. The organizer only reads your files. It downloads a ZIP containing organised copies, and your originals stay exactly where and as they were.
Which date does the organizer use for each photo?
The EXIF capture date first, then a video's creation time, then a date written in the file name, and finally the file's modified date. The preview labels every file with the source that was used.
Why are some files marked as dated by file date?
They had no EXIF date, no video header date and no date in their name, so the modified date was used. Downloading or copying often changes that date, so check these files before relying on their folders.
What happens if two photos have the same name?
If two files would be saved to the same folder with the same name, the later one is numbered, for example IMG_0001 (2).JPG. Names are compared without regard to upper and lower case, the way Windows and macOS do.
Does it work with HEIC photos and iPhone videos?
Yes. EXIF dates are read from HEIC, JPG and other photos, and the creation time is read from the header of MOV and MP4 videos without decoding the video.
Why is there a limit of 2,000 files and 4 GB?
The browser builds the whole ZIP in memory before it can be downloaded. Larger collections can be organised in several batches, each producing its own ZIP and CSV mapping.
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