# X archive media dates are wrong

> The media files in an X archive usually show the date the archive was created, because the post date is stored in tweets.js, not in the files. TweetArchive reads each post’s created_at, matches the files by the post ID in their name, and exports them named and dated correctly — EXIF dates for JPEGs that lack them.

## Step by step

1. **Open your archive ZIP in TweetArchive.** Media is matched to posts automatically.
2. **Review in the Media tab.** Each photo shows “Posted <date>”.
3. **Export photos & videos.** Files are named YEAR/DATE_TIME_original-name and timestamped in the ZIP.
4. **Check media-dates.csv.** It lists every file with its post ID and UTC date.

Open the tool: https://tweetarchive.fyi/#app (runs in your browser; the ZIP is not uploaded; free preview, $19 one-time for everything).

## Honest limitations

- There is no official public specification of the archive format that we could read; TweetArchive follows what several independent parsers document and discovers file names instead of assuming one layout.
- Some archives omit @usernames for DM partners; those people appear as a numeric user ID.
- TweetArchive is not affiliated with X Corp. and does not log in to X for you.

## FAQ

### Which date is used?

The created_at time of the post that contains the media, in UTC.

### What about files with no matching post?

They are listed in the Media tab without a post date and are not renamed.

### Does it overwrite existing EXIF?

No. JPEGs that already have EXIF data are left as they are.

### Is it free?

The preview shows the gallery and exports 10 files. Pro exports everything for $19 once.

## Related

- [How to download your official X archive](https://tweetarchive.fyi/download-x-archive.md)
- [Privacy](https://tweetarchive.fyi/privacy/)

## Sources

- [The Verge: How to download an archive of your Twitter data (updated Nov 14, 2022)](https://www.theverge.com/23453703/twitter-archive-download-how-to-tweets)
- [Ars Technica: How to download a backup copy of your Twitter data (Oct 28, 2022)](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2022/10/how-to-download-a-backup-copy-of-your-twitter-data-or-deactivate-your-account/)
- [twitter-archive-parser by Tim Hutton (GitHub)](https://github.com/timhutton/twitter-archive-parser)
- [alkihis/twitter-archive-reader: file structures](https://github.com/alkihis/twitter-archive-reader)

TweetArchive is an independent tool made by Cedano Labs LLC. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by X Corp. “X” and “Twitter” are trademarks of X Corp., used here only to describe the archive format the tool reads. TweetArchive is not a forensic lab or a legal service, and its exports are not certified evidence.