What is An Aae File? How to Open and Delete Safely

What is an AAE file? If you’ve ever transferred photos from an iPhone or Mac, you might have noticed files with the .AAE extension sitting alongside your regular JPG images. At first glance, these files can seem confusing or unnecessary, but they play a very specific role in preserving your photo edits. In simple terms, an AAE file is a sidecar file created by Apple devices to store non-destructive edits made to a photo in the Photos app. Unlike a JPG, which contains the image itself, the AAE file only contains instructions about changes like filters, brightness adjustments, or cropping. This means the original photo remains untouched, and all edits are stored separately.

AAE files are written in a format called XML, which is a structured way of storing data that both humans and computers can read. They are automatically generated whenever you edit a photo on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac running Apple’s Photos app. For example, if you adjust the exposure of a picture or apply a filter, the changes are saved in the AAE file rather than altering the original JPG. This approach is called non-destructive editing and is useful because it allows you to undo or modify changes without losing the original image.

what is an aae file only exist within Apple’s ecosystem. If you transfer your photos to a Windows PC, the AAE files might appear as extra files that you don’t recognize. They won’t affect your JPG photos directly, but the edits stored in them won’t be automatically applied unless you open them back on an Apple device. This is why you’ll sometimes see AAE files after moving photos via email, cloud services, or USB transfer.

Will You Check This Article: How to Create a JSON File Easily

What is An Aae File Format

The what is an aae file is small in size because it doesn’t contain any actual photo data. Instead, it contains XML code that describes the edits you made to the corresponding JPG file. This includes things like color adjustments, cropping dimensions, filters, and other modifications supported by Apple Photos. Since it’s an XML file, you can technically open it with a simple text editor like Notepad or TextEdit. However, reading it manually won’t be very useful unless you’re familiar with XML formatting and Apple’s editing syntax.

The main benefit of the AAE system is that it keeps your original photos safe. If you decide later that you don’t like an edit, you can revert to the original photo without losing any detail. This method also allows you to transfer the original image and all edits separately, which is handy for backup purposes or professional workflows.

How AAE Files Work With Apple Photos

When you edit a photo in Apple Photos, the app doesn’t overwrite the original JPG. Instead, it saves every change in the AAE file. This means your original photo remains untouched, and all edits can be undone or modified at any time. This is particularly helpful if you like experimenting with filters or adjustments because you can always return to the original image.

Difference between JPG and AAE Files

Many users get confused because AAE files often appear alongside their JPG images and wonder if they need both. The JPG file is your actual image, viewable on almost any device, while the AAE file is like a set of instructions for edits applied in the Photos app. Without the AAE file, the JPG remains unedited; with it, the photo can show all your changes, but only when opened on a compatible Apple device. In short, JPG = actual picture, AAE = edits only.

How to Handle AAE Files

If you’re working entirely within Apple devices, you don’t need to worry about the AAE files—they will be automatically used by the Photos app. When sharing photos via AirDrop or iCloud, the edits are often applied automatically, so the recipient sees the final version. However, if you are moving photos to Windows or Android, you can safely ignore or delete the AAE files if you don’t need the edits. Deleting an AAE file will not remove the original JPG, but any edits applied on your Apple device will be lost if you try to bring that edited state back later.

For users who want to retain edits on non-Apple devices, one practical approach is to export the edited photo as a new JPG directly from the Photos app. This method flattens all edits into the image, eliminating the need for an AAE file for that particular copy. You can also use third-party software to batch convert or merge edits, but these tools are limited and sometimes require manual steps.

Opening AAE Files

On Apple devices, the Photos app automatically reads AAE files, so you rarely need to open them manually. On Windows, you can open an AAE file using a text editor, but you will only see the XML code rather than a usable image. Some online tools claim to convert AAE files, but usually, it’s easier to export the edited photo as a JPG from an Apple device before sharing. If you receive AAE files via email or cloud storage, remember that without the corresponding JPG and an Apple device, the edits in the AAE file won’t be applied.

Can AAE Files Cause Problems?

AAE files are generally harmless, but they can cause confusion if you’re not aware of their purpose. For instance, when transferring photos to non-Apple devices, seeing extra AAE files might make you think something went wrong. Additionally, if you accidentally delete the AAE files before exporting edited photos, you may lose all the edits. That’s why understanding their role is important for smooth file management.

Cross-Platform Considerations

While AAE files work perfectly on iPhones, iPads, and Macs, they are not supported on Windows, Android, or older Apple devices without Photos app support. If you frequently share photos with non-Apple users, exporting edits as JPG is the safest option. There’s no way to apply an AAE file to a JPG on a Windows PC directly, so keeping both files only benefits Apple devices.

AAE vs Other Sidecar Files

what is an aae file are similar to XMP sidecar files used in professional photography software like Adobe Light room. Both store edit instructions separately from the original image. However, XMP files are more widely supported across platforms, whereas AAE is exclusive to Apple Photos. Knowing this helps if you are working in mixed device environments or with professional editing software.

FAQs

What does AAE contain?

An AAE file contains XML data that stores all the adjustments you made to a photo, like cropping, filters, and color corrections. It does not contain the photo itself.

Can I delete AAE files?

Yes, you can delete AAE files without affecting your original JPG photos. However, any edits stored in the AAE file will be lost if you want to revert or apply them later on an Apple device.

Why does iPhone create AAE files?

Apple devices create AAE files to support non-destructive editing in the Photos app. This way, the original photo is preserved, and all adjustments are stored separately.

Are what is an aae file needed?

AAE files are only needed if you want to maintain your edits when moving photos between Apple devices. For general viewing on other platforms, they are optional.

How to transfer photos with edits?

If you want your edits to appear on another Apple device, always transfer both the JPG and its corresponding AAE file. For other devices, export the edited photo as a new JPG to preserve the changes.

Can Windows open what is an aae file?

Not directly. Windows can display the JPG but ignores the AAE file edits. You can open AAE files in a text editor, but the code is not very useful unless you use Apple software.

Tips for Managing AAE Files

1. Organize your photos: Keep edited JPGs and AAE files together in the same folder to avoid confusion.
2. Backup regularly: Make sure to back up both original and edited versions to I Cloud and another storage solution.
3. Export before sharing: Flatten edits into new JPGs when sending photos to non-Apple users.
4. Monitor storage: While small, accumulated AAE files can add up. Deleting orphaned AAE files can save space.

Expert Tip

If you frequently move photos to non-Apple devices, create a dedicated export folder and save edited photos as new JPGs. This avoids the need for AAE files and ensures your edits are preserved for sharing.

Conclusion

what is an aae file are a unique part of Apple’s photo ecosystem, acting as sidecar files that store edits separately from your original images. They allow non-destructive editing, meaning your original photos remain untouched while giving you full control over adjustments. For Apple users, these files are important for maintaining photo edits, but for Windows or Android users, they are mostly optional. Understanding what AAE files are, how to manage them, and when to export your edits ensures your photo library stays organized and your work is safe. Remember to keep both JPG and what is an aae file when needed, and export edited copies when sharing outside Apple devices to make photo management simple and worry-free.

Read More: file