You just copied your iPhone photos to your computer, and suddenly, there’s this weird file next to them called something like:
IMG_1234.AAE
You try to open it… nothing happens. No preview, no picture, just confusing text.
So what is this thing? Did something break?
Let’s clear this up once and for all.
What Is an .AAE File?
Think of an .AAE file as your iPhone’s little notes about a photo.
When you edit a photo in the Photos app, like adjusting brightness, cropping, or adding a filter, your iPhone doesn’t actually change the original image. Instead, it creates a tiny side file called .AAE to remember your edits.
It’s kind of like a recipe card that tells your phone:
“Hey, when you show this photo, also apply these edits!”
So the .AAE file only works together with the photo it belongs to, usually a .JPG file with the same name.
Example:
IMG_1234.JPG
IMG_1234.AAE
Why You See .AAE Files on Your Computer
Here’s why this happens:
When you move your photos from your iPhone to a Windows PC, your computer doesn’t know what to do with Apple’s .AAE format. Windows just sees a random text file and goes, “Huh?”
On a Mac, though, macOS understands .AAE files automatically. It combines the edits with the photo when you import them through Photos or AirDrop.
So if you’re seeing a bunch of .AAE files on your PC, it’s not an error. It just means your iPhone edits didn’t carry over.
Can You Open .AAE Files
Technically, yes — but not in the way you think.
An .AAE file is just XML text, which means you can open it in any text editor like:
- TextEdit (Mac)
- Notepad (Windows)
If you open it, you’ll see lines of code that describe your photo edits, like this:
<dict>
<key>adjustmentBrightness</key>
<real>0.15</real>
<key>adjustmentSaturation</key>
<real>-0.1</real>
</dict>
Cool to look at, but not very useful unless you’re a developer.
You can’t drag it into Photos or Photoshop and expect your edits to appear.
How To Actually Keep Your iPhone Edits
If you want your photo with all your edits (filters, brightness, crop, etc.), you have to export the edited version from your iPhone — not just copy the original file.
Here’s how:
Option 1: Use AirDrop (Mac only)
- On your iPhone, open Photos
- Tap the edited photo
- Tap Share → AirDrop → your Mac
Your Mac will receive the photo with all the edits baked in. No .AAE file needed.
Option 2: Use iCloud Photos
- Go to Settings → Photos
- Turn on iCloud Photos
- On your Mac or PC, open iCloud.com/photos
- Download the edited photo — you’ll get one clean JPG, edits included.
Option 3: Email or Message the Edited Photo
This sounds old-school, but it works.
If you share the edited photo via Messages, AirDrop, or Mail, iOS automatically merges the .AAE data into the picture before sending it.
So the version you send will look exactly the same as the one on your iPhone.
Can You Delete .AAE Files?
Yep! They’re safe to delete.
If you’ve already saved or exported your edited photos, those .AAE files are just leftovers. Deleting them won’t harm your photos.
But if you still have the original image and haven’t exported the edited version yet, deleting the .AAE file will make you lose your edits the next time you transfer that image.
So the rule is simple:
- Keep them if you plan to move your edited photo later.
- Delete them if you already have the finished version saved somewhere else.
Quick Recap
- .AAE files store your photo edit info on iPhone and iPad.
- You’ll see them next to .JPG photos, especially on Windows PCs.
- You can open them with a text editor, but they’re not viewable images.
- To keep your edits, export the photo from your iPhone or use iCloud Photos.
- Once you’ve saved the edited version, it’s safe to delete the .AAE files.
The Bottom Line
An .AAE file isn’t broken — it’s just your iPhone keeping track of your edits.
Think of it like a secret translator between your iPhone’s Photos app and the original image.
If you want the finished version, just share or export the photo from your phone. And next time you see those weird files pop up, you’ll know exactly what they’re doing there.
