DevTut

# Localized Date/Time in Android

# Custom localized date format with DateUtils.formatDateTime()

DateUtils.formatDateTime() (opens new window) allows you to supply a time, and based on the flags you provide, it creates a localized datetime string. The flags allow you to specify whether to include specific elements (like the weekday).

formatDateTime() automatically takes care about proper date formats.

# Standard date/time formatting in Android

Format a date:

Format a date and time. Date is in short format, time is in long format:

# Fully customized date/time

Commonly used patterns:

  • HH: hour (0-23)
  • hh: hour (1-12)
  • a: AM/PM marker
  • mm: minute (0-59)
  • ss: second
  • dd: day in month (1-31)
  • MM: month
  • yyyy: year

# Remarks

It is recommended to use methods of the DateUtils (opens new window) class in order to format dates which are locale aware, i.e. which consider user preferences (e.g. 12h/24h clock time formats). These methods are most appropriate for dates that are displayed to the user.

For fully customized date representations, it is recommended to use the SimpleDateFormat (opens new window) class, as it allows to fully control all date elements.

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