When you transfer photos from an iPhone to a Mac using the Photos app or iCloud Photos, the AAE files are also transferred along with the edited photos. However, the AAE files are primarily used by the Photos app on iOS devices to apply and display the edits made to the photos.
AAE is a file format associated with iPhone photos, specifically when they undergo edits or adjustments using the built-in editing tools in the "Photos" app.
When you edit a photo on an iPhone, the original image file remains intact, and the edits you make are saved as instructions in a separate file with the .AAE extension. This file contains the information about the edits you made, such as cropping, filters, adjustments to brightness or color, and other modifications.
The purpose of the AAE file is to preserve the original photo while keeping a record of the specific edits applied to it. The AAE file is relatively small in size and only contains the instructions for reproducing the edits on the original photo. This allows you to revert to the original image or make further adjustments without losing the edit history.
It's important to note that the AAE file itself does not contain the actual photo data. It is associated with the original photo and is required for the "Photos" app to apply the edits and display the modified version correctly.
If you transfer the edited photo to a device or software that doesn't recognize AAE files (such as a non-Apple device or third-party photo editing software), the edits may not be visible. In such cases, it's recommended to export the edited photo as a new image file (e.g., JPEG) that can be universally recognized and viewed on different platforms.
In summary, AAE files are generated by the "Photos" app on iPhones to store editing instructions and preserve the edit history while keeping the original photo intact.