Disable relative dates "today", "yesterday" in iOS, iPadOS, MacOS Mail Apps?

Can I turn off relative date display for iOS, iPadOSor MacOS Apple Mail mail apps?

I want to always see absolute dates and times.

Relative dates are annoying and not helpful.

Thanks

iPhone SE, iOS 16

Posted on Jan 29, 2023 12:25 PM

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How can “relative dates” be PERMANENTLY DISABLED in iOS? How can “relative dates” be PERMANENTLY DISABLED in iOS, and iOS set to enforce displaying the full ISO8601 date in all apps? Mail, in particular is severely crippled as a legal source of historical documentation because of this! Can you imagine what the judge is going to think having reams of printed documents of evidence brought before him in which every document reads ‘today’, ‘tomorrow’, or ‘yesterday’, and you try to explain that, “Well, your honor, THIS ‘yesterday’ was actually 2017-05-05 18:22, when the respondent failed to pick up the children from school, yet again, as the preponderance of evidence (see these 27 email messages documenting the exact dates and times—‘yesterday’, ‘today’, ‘today’, ‘yesterday’…ad absudum infinitum!)!?!? 🤦🏻‍♂️ This is a CRITICAL FLAW in iOS, (and is mirrored im macOS, but there are hacks to “fix” macOS). I’m sure that someone thought it was very “cute” and “helpful” to give users relative dates. Having this as an OPTION would be helpful. Procrusteanly forcing this upon everyone is criminal.
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1 reply

SnickZ.

Community Specialist

Jan 31, 2023 11:17 AM in response to MacChat2021

Hello MacChat2021,

Apple does appreciate all feedback regarding our products, services, and features. If you'd like to provide feedback on your experience with our products or services, you can do so using this link: Product Feedback - Apple There’s one section for iOS and iPadOS apps, and another for macOS apps.

All the best.

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Disable relative dates "today", "yesterday" in iOS, iPadOS, MacOS Mail Apps?