Update Model Attributes Without Mutating updated_at with withoutTimestamps()

Use Model::withoutTimestamps() to update records during data migrations or internal status increments without altering their updated_at timestamps.

When running background data fixes, backfilling legacy columns, or incrementing internal counters (like view counts or sync hashes), updating a model modifies updated_at, which corrupts user-facing "Last Modified" dates.

The withoutTimestamps() method temporarily suspends automatic timestamp mutation.

Updating Models Without Timestamp Changes

use App\Models\Post;

// Updates the post without changing its updated_at column
Post::withoutTimestamps(function () use ($post, $migratedData) {
    $post->update([
        'legacy_sync_code' => $migratedData['code'],
        'is_indexed'       => true,
    ]);
});

On Individual Model Instances

$user->withoutTimestamps(function () use ($user) {
    $user->update(['login_count' => $user->login_count + 1]);
});

Summary

• Preserves original updated_at timestamps during maintenance updates.
• Scoped strictly to the executed closure callback.
• Eliminates manual $model->timestamps = false state toggling.