Metadata on video files missing when downloaded to Windows 10 PC via iCloud.

Question

Level 1

4 points

Metadata on video files missing when downloaded to Windows 10 PC via iCloud.

This has been functioning 100% for years until THE DAY I updated my iPhone 15 Pro Max to iOS18. Video files taken BEFORE the update still download complete with metadata. So the problem must be iOS18 has changed the file format itself???

I have 2 other devices updated to iOS18 and they exhibit the same problem. So it's not iPhone 15 related.

Metadata is present and correct on PHOTOS downloaded to the PC no problem.

NOTE: The metadata is still present on the file info on the PHONE!

I have contacted Apple about this, but got nowhere. My only hope is someone had the same problem and fixed it with ease and thought nothing of it.

CLUES:

1) if I change the camera format from my usual Most Compatible to High Efficiency, the metadata does download with the video.

2) if I convert the downloaded MOV file to MP4, the metadata re-appears.

The downside to this is, when I download my holiday videos, there's no way of putting them in sequence as the Date Aquired or Taken fields are blank.

Anyone put me out of my misery?

Michael

iPhone 15 Pro Max

Posted on Nov 2, 2024 6:55 AM

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Answer 1

72clg

Level 1

14 points

Nov 7, 2024 5:32 AM in response to mlhifi

@mlhifi I've noticed the same thing since I updated my iPhone 12 Pro Max to IOS18 with all the Metadata removed from the MOV files. I use the Tags field to help filter my photo files and I'm not able to add this to the MOV files now, but if you convert them to MP4 I'm able to update the fields without any issues

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Answer 2

Nov 3, 2024 1:05 AM in response to mlhifi

that's why icloud is not really a good solve-all-your-problems type of service. Refrain from putting files on icloud unless if you absolutely need to. Always keep it local and make frequent backups, that is the best way to prevent syncing issues and loosing important metadata information from cloud services.

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Answer 3

mlhifi Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 4, 2024 7:11 AM in response to mlhifi

But something is bugging me: I said it before but it'sworth thinking about -

If I convert a downloaded MOV file, that shows no metadata, and I convert it to MP4, the metadata appears. WHAT?

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Answer 4

mlhifi Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 4, 2024 6:34 AM in response to ghostanime2001

No, absolutely not. I've always recorded videos in 1920 x 1080 in H.264.

It is true that when in MOV format, there's no metadata and in MP4, metadata is present.

To re-iterate, if I download ANY other videos from iCloud PRIOR to iOS18, they download in MOV format but with metadata in tact. For now, I am going to switch to HEVC until I can find a workaround.

The left half is from a video 3 days ago and the right half is a video I took 4 days prior to iOS18.

I am lost. I really appreciate your time.

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Answer 5

mlhifi Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 3, 2024 1:26 AM in response to ghostanime2001

It’s annoying because it worked flawlessly up until iOS18.

I was hopeful iOS18.1 would solve the issue but sadly not.

I looked at the root directory of the iPhone and found the videos concerned. Downloaded them directly to the PC but still no metadata.

As I mentioned, if I use High Efficiency mode, the metadata is present once again but the resolution is only 720. But that is an option.

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Answer 6

Nov 3, 2024 9:15 AM in response to mlhifi

mlhifi wrote:

It’s annoying because it worked flawlessly up until iOS18.

I was hopeful iOS18.1 would solve the issue but sadly not.

I looked at the root directory of the iPhone and found the videos concerned. Downloaded them directly to the PC but still no metadata.

As I mentioned, if I use High Efficiency mode, the metadata is present once again but the resolution is only 720. But that is an option.

Did you by any chance record the video in HEVC format from the beginning ?

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Answer 7

mlhifi Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 8, 2024 3:00 AM in response to 72clg

Yes, I discovered the same, MOV to MP4 and metadata is available once again.

Windows 10, in the store, does a simple program that does that in bulk too. Very useful.

It's called "Any Video Converter" in case you are not aware of it.

No idea how many it can do at one time, but I've done 6 in one go.

Your screen grabs are exactly the same as mine, before and after. It is definitely iOS 18 that caused this. I spent far too long on the phone with Apple but got nowwhere.

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