If you export unmodified originals with XMP sidecar files, and then import into another photo library, the XMP files are not used and you lose title, description, and keywords. You also lose location data if it isn’t exported in the EXIF by Photos for some reason.
How do I get the Photos app to use the XMP files that it creates on export?
iMac 27″, macOS 11.2
You can join the .xmp to the .jpeg with GraphicConverter or exiftool. In Big Sur there is an .xmp export error in western and southern locations though:
The XMP data is ignored with JPEG, JPG, HEIC. I have not tested with any PNG photos.
Yes, videos are a whole different story. I have been ignoring them for the purposes of these tests. Although, the XMP is ignored for them, too. And it would be handy if Photos used it for videos.
Yes, XMP files are created by Photos, and then put into same directory with the JPG files.
I have opened the XMP files in a text editor, and they are full of GPS, title, description, etc. as expected.
It is an import problem. I have tried the import by selecting all files in the folder, by selecting just the folder and letting Photos read them all, by dragging a Command-A select all from Finder into Photos. Nothing seems to get Photos to care about the XMP files.
I am Big Sur. I am using PowerPhotos and exiftool in other tests. But for this test, I'm using only built-in Photos app from Big Sur and I'm experimenting with "regular" export and "unmodified originals" with Photos. The problem described here occurs when I use "unmodified originals" and I include the XMP files.
Also ... I am *not* using any Photo Libraries that are connected to iCloud. These Photo Libraries have been created just for these tests to see what my process should be to move/copy files from one library to another.
Yes, I tried File->Import from within the Photos app. Using the file selection dialog shown by Photos, I tried Command-A selecting all the files in the folder. And I tried just picking the folder and letting Photos read them all. Then, Photos shows you the Import "confirm" window. It's finding all the photos, but it never brings in the XMP data.
What is the file format of the image files, where the XMP sidecar is ignored?
I had occasionally problems with ignored sidecar metadata after I upgraded to macOS 10.15 Catalina.
The sidecar files have always been ignored for videos, but otherwise worked fine. Now I am seeing the same problem for PNG files and for JPEGs.
Is this happening with the xmp file in the same folder and with the same filename as the original? Does the xmp file have the data you are expecting in it (IE is this an import, or an export problem)
Just to be clear - in at least one of your options above, you were using file>import, rather than drag/drop, weren't you?
Photos XMP not used on import
