Why is the punch time different from the creation time?

When reviewing a punch, the time displayed under Date may be different from the date and time shown in the created on information.

This can happen even when the punch is displayed with the APPROVED status.

The difference does not necessarily mean that the employee created a retroactive punch or that someone manually approved it. The created on information is related to when the punch was synchronized with Day.io, not to an approval action.

What is the difference between these times?

Date

This is the date and time when the employee actually recorded the punch. It is the official time considered in the employee’s workday and attendance records.

Created on

This indicates when the punch was synchronized and sent to Day.io.

When the device takes longer to synchronize, the punch may only appear on the platform minutes, hours, or days after it was originally recorded.

Example:

• The employee recorded an Entry on 12/06/2026 at 09:10;
• The device did not synchronize the punch immediately;
• The synchronization occurred on at 09:22;
• The Date field will show 12/06/2026 - 09:10;
• The punch details will show that the employee created on 12/06/2026 at 09:22.

In this scenario, the punch was not necessarily created retroactively at 09:22. It was registered at 09:10 and subsequently appeared on the platform due to synchronization.

Why might a punch take longer to appear?

Common reasons include:

1. The punch was recorded without an internet connection

   When a punch is recorded offline through the mobile app or Kiosk, it remains stored on the device until it can be synchronized with Day.io.

2. The internet connection was unstable

   Even when the device appears to be connected, an unstable connection may delay the submission of the punch.

3. The device had not synchronized recently

   The mobile app or Kiosk may take longer to send stored punches when it cannot complete synchronization with the platform.

After synchronization, the punch is displayed with the date and time when it was originally recorded and the date and time when it was sent to the system.

Does the created-on time determine whether the punch should be approved?

No. The difference between the Date and the created on information does not determine whether the punch should be pending, approved, or invalid.

The synchronization information shows when the punch reached Day.io. It does not represent an approval action and should not be used by itself to conclude that the employee created a retroactive punch.

The APPROVED label displayed in the punch details does not mean that the date shown under created on is the date when someone approved the punch.

When a punch appears later than its recorded time, compare:

• The Date of the punch;
• The created on date and time;
• How the punch was recorded;
• The device’s internet connection and synchronization status.

What should I check when a punch appears later?

1. Check the date and time shown under Date;
2. Check the date and time shown in the created on information;
3. Confirm whether the employee had no internet connection or an unstable connection;
4. Check whether the mobile app or Kiosk was synchronized;
5. Use the value shown under Date as the official punch time.

Important: a punch appearing on the platform after its recorded date or time does not, by itself, mean that it was created retroactively. The delay may have occurred only during synchronization.

Tips and troubleshooting

• The punch appeared later but shows APPROVED: compare the Date with the created on information. The punch may have been recorded at the correct time and synchronized later.
• The created-on time is much later than the punch time: check the device’s internet connection and synchronization status.
• The employee says the punch was recorded in real time: confirm whether the device had an internet connection when the punch was made.
• The punch has not appeared yet: perform a new synchronization in the mobile app or Kiosk.
• I need to know which time is considered in the employee’s workday: use the date and time displayed under Date.
• I need to know who approved the punch: the created on information does not represent an approval. Review the punch history and approval information separately.

Frequently asked questions

1. Why did a punch appear later but show APPROVED?

The punch may have been recorded earlier and synchronized only afterward. In this situation, the delay is related to when the record was sent to Day.io, not necessarily to the creation of a retroactive punch.

2. Is the created-on time the time when the punch was approved?

No. The created on information indicates when the punch was synchronized with Day.io. It does not represent an approval action.

3. Does a difference between Date and created on mean that the employee changed the punch?

Not necessarily. The difference may have been caused by no internet connection, an unstable connection, or delayed synchronization.

4. Which time is considered in the employee’s attendance records?

The date and time shown under Date, as they represent when the punch was recorded.

5. Can an offline punch appear as APPROVED?

Yes. After the device reconnects and synchronizes the record, the punch can be displayed with the date and time when it was originally recorded.

6. How can I determine whether the punch was actually created retroactively?

Do not use only the created on information. Compare the punch Date, its origin, the synchronization information, and the other details available in the punch history.

7. What should I do when punches are not synchronizing?

Check the internet connection and perform a new synchronization in the mobile app or Kiosk.