What is a .AAE file?
AAE is an Apple Photos edit sidecar, recording adjustments without altering the original. Created by Apple Photos.
- Did you know
- An AAE file lets Apple Photos keep your edits separate so the original photo stays untouched.
- Apple introduced the AAE sidecar with iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite to carry non-destructive photo edits between devices.
- An AAE is actually an Apple XML property list, its keys naming each adjustment applied to the companion image.
- What Analyser reads
- Identify camera RAW edit sidecars - Apple Photos adjustments (AAE), RawTherapee (PP3), Capture One (COS), DxO PhotoLab (DOP) and Nikon NX Studio (NKSC) - reading the applied-edit recipe, plus cinema and rare camera RAW: REDCODE (R3D), Blackmagic (BRAW), Canon Cinema RAW Light (CRM), ARRIRAW (ARI), Phantom CINE and FLIR thermal (FPF).
- Depth of analysis
- .AAE is an identification-grade format: Analyser recognises it from its bytes and decodes the header metadata it carries, rather than opening it in a full viewer. Formats that do get a full viewer are marked "Full" on the formats page.
- Open a .AAE file
- Drag a .AAE file onto the Analyser home page (or tap to pick one). It is identified entirely in your browser - nothing is uploaded, there is no account, and it works offline once installed.