Files with aae file extension can be typically found by owners of Apple devices and computers and users of the Apple Photos app. The aae files contain edits and changes on a particular photo (.jpg). The purpose is to allow save non-destructive changes made to a photograph so the original picture can be preserved.

Detailed description

Software that open aae file

Add comment

AAE file extension - Apple Photos sidecar file

What is aae file? How to open aae files?

File extension aae is exclusively related to a special "sidecar" file generated by the Apple Photos app included in macOS and iOS devices.

AAE format is an XML-based file format and contains all the edits and adjustments made on a particular digital photograph (.jpg). This means that no matter what changes the user makes to some photo, the original will always be preserved. AAE was introduced in iOS 8 and OS X 10.10

Thus every picture edited by Apple Photos will accompany the corresponding aae file with the changes. When you transfer the photos between iOS devices or to your computer, the .aae files will be copied together with the .jpg files.

Updated: November 7, 2023

The default software associated to open aae file:

Apple Photos icon

Apple, Inc. logoApple Photos  Apple macOS / Mac OS X software

Company or developer:
Apple, Inc.

Photos has been engineered from the ground up to help you keep photo growing library organized and accessible. Powerful and intuitive editing tools help you perfect your images as well as create beautiful gifts for sharing.

Apple iOS icon

Apple, Inc. logoApple iOS  Apple iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch devices) software

Company or developer:
Apple, Inc.

Apple iOS is the latest version of iOS operating system for Apple mobile platform devices such as Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. iOS is based on XNU hybrid kernel from Mac OS X (macOS).

iOS contains multi-touch interface (also known as SpringBoard GUI), and various default apps, such as Phone, Mail, Safari, Music, Videos, Messages, Photos, Camera, FaceTime, Maps, Weather, Notes, etc. Other apps are available in App Store.

Related articles:

What is AAE file

Help how to open:

These *.aae files are associated with the Apple Photos app and referenced to a particular photograph. You can load them to the app to see the original and apply the changes stored in the *.aae file.

No 3rd party software will help you here.

How to convert:

You cannot convert single .aae files; you need the original .jpg photo.

Find conversions from aae file:

aae to avi

aae to jpeg

aae to jpg

aae to mov

aae to mp4

aae to pdf

aae to png

Find converter to aae file type:

jpg to aae

List of software applications associated to the .aae file extension

Recommended software programs are sorted by OS platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android etc.)
and possible program actions that can be done with the file: like open aae file, edit aae file, convert aae file, view aae file, play aae file etc. (if exist software for corresponding action in File-Extensions.org's database).

Hint:
Click on the tab below to simply browse between the application actions, to quickly get a list of recommended software, which is able to perform the specified software action, such as opening, editing or converting aae files.

Software that open aae file - Apple Photos sidecar file

Programs supporting the exension aae on the main platforms Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile. Click on the link to get more information about Apple Photos for open aae file action.

Apple macOS / Mac OS X:

Previous file extension
A3X file extension

File-Extensions.org > Settings, options, themes or skins file types

Next file extension
file extension AAP

 

Enter any file extension without dot (e.g. pdf)
Search for file extension details and associated application(s)

RSS feed