You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

ISO 8601 date YYYY-MM-DD is Universal

This format is the new standard, slowly being implemented around the world. It may be a surprise at first, but everyone who looks at it for a second or two realizes the 4-digit number is the year, and the light of recognition goes on. It is also the only easily sorted date format. And it prevents another "Y2K" debacle, where new software must be written to correct years of "but it's easier to only type 2 digits."

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 14.6

Posted on Aug 28, 2024 4:07 AM

Reply
3 replies

Aug 28, 2024 10:57 AM in response to AlbanySkip

I'm not sure of your definition of 'new', but ISO 8601 was first drafted in 1998 (26 years ago). It's been amended/updated a couple of times since, with the most recent significant update in 2019 (maybe that's 'new'?)


Incidentally, the YYYY-MM-DD format was originally established as a standard as part of ISO 2014 back in 1976 and this format was incorporated into 8601, so the idea has been around for a while.


In any case, the problem isn't standards. It's getting people to recognize and honor them. I don't expect to see the US move from it's oddball MM-DD-YYYY any time soon, for all the problems it creates :)


Aug 28, 2024 11:32 AM in response to AlbanySkip

AlbanySkip wrote:

This format is the new standard, slowly being implemented around the world. It may be a surprise at first, but everyone who looks at it for a second or two realizes the 4-digit number is the year, and the light of recognition goes on. It is also the only easily sorted date format. And it prevents another "Y2K" debacle, where new software must be written to correct years of "but it's easier to only type 2 digits."

Okay. But how is this related to an issue with your Apple products or services?

ISO 8601 date YYYY-MM-DD is Universal

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.