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importing .aae files with Photos

I exported a number of photos from one mac and imported them to another. Photos exported the .aae files but it did not import them.


How do I keep this .aae data?

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.1)

Posted on Nov 6, 2015 6:06 PM

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8 replies

Oct 29, 2017 11:20 AM in response to e23

If the AAE file behaves like the xml files before iPhone 8 the metadata in that file will be imported along with the image if the image file and the xml/aae file are in the same folder when imported into another Photos library.


The xml file does not import the metadata back into Photos for video/movie files as it does for photos.

User uploaded file

Oct 29, 2017 12:14 PM in response to Old Toad

Old Toad wrote:


If the AAE file behaves like the xml files before iPhone 8 the metadata in that file will be imported along with the image if the image file and the xml/aae file are in the same folder when imported into another Photos library.


The xml file does not import the metadata back into Photos for video/movie files as it does for photos.


I think the .AAE files are files in the "Adobe After Effects" format and are not describing metadata like the XMLsidecaar file, but only adjustments. I have only seen them for images adjusted on my iPhone with filters. I could find no documentation be Apple at all.

When I open an .AAE file in TextEdit, I can see that it is only is describing a filter:


User uploaded file

Oct 29, 2017 11:06 AM in response to e23

I am having plenty of .AAE files in my Photos Library. They are stored as sidecar files with any photo where I applied a filter to on my iPhone, like the Chrome filter or "instant".


When I export the originals of these photos from Photos, the .AAE sidecar file will also be exported. And when I reimport them to Photos on Sierra with the .AAE file present, the Chrome filter will be applied, even if Photos on High Sierra does no longer offer the Chrome filter. So it obviously can still create the effect and still is able to process he old .AAE files.

importing .aae files with Photos

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