Aria2 Download Flag to Preserve Original Timestamp on Ubuntu

This article provides a concise explanation for Ubuntu users seeking to maintain file metadata during downloads. It focuses specifically on the aria2 command-line utility and identifies the correct parameter for timestamp preservation. Readers will find the exact flag needed and a practical example of its usage below.

The Specific Option

The flag required is --remote-time. This option instructs aria2 to retrieve the timestamp of the remote file from the HTTP or FTP server. If the server provides this data, aria2 applies it to the local file immediately after the download completes.

Command Example

To implement this, add the flag to your standard download command. Run the following in your Ubuntu terminal:

aria2c --remote-time https://example.com/file.zip

This ensures your local copy reflects the original modification time stored on the server.