model mutators not called when loading from db #58474

korazy8s · 2026-01-23T19:05:15Z

korazy8s
Jan 23, 2026

When using a model mutator, the set function is not called when loading from DB using find(), first() or refresh(). Is this left out for a specific reason? I haven't been using mutators, but want to start for various reasons and found loading from DB does not use this feature and I would like this to work.

For example:

class Contact extends Model
{
    protected function firstName(): Attribute
    {
        return Attribute::make(
            get: fn(string $value) => $value,
            set: fn(string $value) => $value . '-s',
        );
    }
}

public function test()
{
    Contact::truncate();

    $contact = Contact::newModelInstance();
    $contact->first_name = 'One';
    $contact->save();
    var_dump($contact->first_name);
    // string(5) "One-s"

    \DB::table('contacts')->where('id', $contact->id)->update(['first_name' => 'Two']);
    $contact2 = Contact::find($contact->id);
    var_dump($contact2->first_name);
    // string(3) "Two"

    \DB::table('contacts')->where('id', $contact->id)->update(['first_name' => 'Three']);
    $contact2 = Contact::where('id', $contact->id)->first();
    var_dump($contact2->first_name);
    // string(5) "Three"

    \DB::table('contacts')->where('id', $contact->id)->update(['first_name' => 'Four']);
    $contact->refresh();
    var_dump($contact->first_name);
    // string(4) "Four"

}

dxnter · 2026-01-23T22:41:10Z

dxnter
Jan 23, 2026

The behavior you're seeing is correct and expected.

The set mutator only runs when you assign a value through Eloquent (e.g., $model->attribute = 'value', $model->update([...]), Model::update([...])). In your example, you're using DB::table()->update() which bypasses Eloquent entirely. It writes raw values directly to the database.

When you then load the model with find(), first(), or refresh(), you're reading the raw database value. The get accessor runs, but the set mutator does not run during reads.

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model mutators not called when loading from db #58474

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model mutators not called when loading from db #58474

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korazy8s Jan 23, 2026

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dxnter Jan 23, 2026

korazy8s
Jan 23, 2026

dxnter
Jan 23, 2026