What is an aae file?

An AAE file is a sidecar file created by Apple's iOS Photos app to store edits made to JPEG images without altering the original image data. Think of it as a separate instruction manual for your photos.

Here's what you should know:

• Purpose: AAE files preserve non-destructive edits. This means you can revert to the original image at any time. Edits include things like cropping, filters, adjustments to brightness/contrast, and more.

• How it Works: When you edit a JPEG in the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad (running iOS 8 or later), the changes are saved in an AAE file with the same name as the JPEG, but with the ".aae" extension. For example, if you have a photo named "IMG_1234.JPG", the corresponding AAE file will be named "IMG_1234.AAE".

• File Format: AAE files are in XML format. You can open them in a text editor to view the edits stored inside, although the data within is not intended to be human-readable in terms of image content.

• Portability: These files are important when you transfer your photos to a computer or other devices. If you keep the AAE files alongside the JPEGs, the Photos app on another Apple device will recognize the edits and apply them.

• Compatibility: Non-Apple devices and software generally don't recognize AAE files. If you open a JPEG with an associated AAE file on a Windows computer, for example, you'll likely see the original, unedited photo.

• Ignoring/Deleting AAE Files: You can safely delete AAE files if you don't need to preserve the edits or are using a non-Apple platform. Deleting an AAE file will simply revert the JPEG image to its original, unedited state in the Photos app on Apple devices. The original image isn't changed by deleting it.

Here are some key topics related to AAE files:

• Non-destructive editing
• Sidecar file
• XML format
• JPEG images