THE FILE FIELD GUIDE

.aae

Apple Photos Edit Sidecar

Photo Sidecars & Camera

When AAE accompanies a photo, treat it separately as an editing companion rather than the image. Converting the AAE alone cannot produce a JPEG. Identify the original/producer and export the edited image through the photo app.

What it is used for: Companion information associated with photo edits
What the file contains: Producer-dependent

All sections, questions and sources

Content reviewed：2026-10-12 · Editor：Kai

Opening steps

Choose your environment or purpose to see its steps.

Inspect AAE accompanying a photo

Distinguish image content from companion information.

Look for a matching HEIC, JPEG or other source image.
Inspect the original and edited appearance on the source iPhone/library.
Retain source/companions and prepare a separate viewing image for Windows or another environment.

Obtain the edited appearance as an image

This does not convert the AAE alone.

Display the item in the source application with its edits intact.
Save the edited image with the supported sharing/export workflow.
Compare color, orientation and crop on another device.

Preserve original and edited output

Distinguish rendered appearance from re-editing.

Export the unedited original separately when needed.
Give the edited output a clear name and distinguish it from source/library.
Inspect both and decide whether retaining only rendered edits meets the intended use.

Menu labels and support vary by app, OS and version. Preserve the original before making changes.

Troubleshooting by symptom

Cannot open on Windows: locate the actual photo before seeking an unverified converter.
Photo appears unedited: distinguish original-file export from edited-image export.
Only AAE remains: locate the source image/library; companion data alone is not a recoverable photo.
Only AAE supplied: request the actual image and an edited export when needed.
Double suffixes: display the full filename; changing AAE’s suffix does not make an image.
Edits absent elsewhere: check that the source app exported the edited image.

Original photo application → edited image

Locate the library containing the photo and edits.
Export the edited image and compare color, orientation and cropping before sharing.
Compare delivered orientation, crop, color and dimensions with the edited source; this is not standalone AAE conversion.

This is not standalone AAE-to-image conversion; a rendered image does not preserve equivalent edit history.

Why the source image is required

Treat AAE beside a photo as editing companion data, not a complete pixel image that can independently produce a photograph.

Identify names and provenance and locate original/edits in the photo application before pursuing conversion.

Source for these steps：Apple · Undo and revert photo edits on iPhone / Apple · Export photos, videos, slideshows, and memories in Photos on Mac

Re-editing versus viewing copies

Use the source app’s edited-image export and compare on another device to avoid accidentally delivering the unedited original.

The Apple references document photo/edit workflows, not standalone AAE conversion or universal application compatibility.

Source for these steps：Apple · Undo and revert photo edits on iPhone / Apple · Export photos, videos, slideshows, and memories in Photos on Mac

Related-format differences

Related-format differences
Format	Main role	What to check
AAE	Photo-edit companion	Identify image/source environment
HEIC / JPEG	Image content	Distinguish original/edited output
Photos library	Image/edit management	Inspect edits within the app

Handling and security

Keep photos/companions together until their role is clear and avoid sending private images to unknown converters.

Questions and answers

Is AAE the photo?

Check it as companion information, not the image payload.

May I delete it?

First check originals, rendered edits and backups.

Are the links an AAE conversion specification?

They document photo originals/edited exports, not standalone AAE conversion.

Does pairing a same-name photo guarantee edits return?

It depends on the application/library state; verify in the source environment rather than assuming file pairing restores edits.

What should I send for viewing only?

Send a compatible rendered image, inspect its delivered appearance and retain source separately.

Format facts: name, steward and MIME type

Formal name: Check as a producer-specific photo-edit companion
Steward / specification: Identify the producer; may accompany Apple photo exports
MIME type: Depends on the producer or server; an extension alone does not establish a MIME type.

Primary and official sources

Platform documentationUndo and revert photo edits on iPhone
Explains originals and edits, not an AAE conversion specification.
Apple · Link checked：2026-10-12
Platform documentationExport photos, videos, slideshows, and memories in Photos on Mac
Documents edited-image and original-file exports.
Apple · Link checked：2026-10-12