- Before Editing Metadata
- Metadata Types
- Opening Image Files
- Adding Metadata
- Removing Metadata
- Saving
- Understanding Image Orientation Metadata
Depending on the metadata item, changing its value may cause inconsistencies with the actual image data, potentially leading to unexpected results.
Be sure to back up your file(s) before making any edits.
There are various types (formats) of metadata that can be embedded in image files. Photo Meta Edit allows you to add, remove, and edit metadata for the types listed in sections 2 through 6 below. Other metadata types may have different behaviors — some are view-only, some are editable, and some may not be visible at all, depending on the format. When you select an image file, all detected metadata is listed by type. Select a metadata type to view its contents.
- Favorites
Displays and edits commonly used fields from TIFF, Exif, and GPS metadata. You can customize the order of these fields for easy access. - HEIC Property
HEIC-specific properties such as image orientation, thumbnail, and auxiliary images. - Comments (JPEG only)
A field that accepts ASCII characters only. - JFIF (JPEG only)
JFIF (JPEG File Interchange Format) information. - TIFF (Tagged Image File Format)
This metadata format is defined in TIFF Revision 6.0, with each item identified by a tag number. Exif and GPS data are embedded within the TIFF metadata structure. In most image files, Exif and GPS information is recorded in this format. The tag numbers for Exif and GPS fields are defined by CIPA. - XMP (Extensible Metadata Platform)
A flexible XML-based metadata format defined by Adobe. Metadata is stored in units called schemas, each representing a set of related properties. This app supports the nine schemas shown on the left. - IPTC Photo Metadata
If the selected images contain IPTC Photo Metadata embedded within XMP, their corresponding data will be displayed as a list.
TIFF Rev. 6.0, Exif ⋅ GPS
XMP Specification
Exif 2.32 metadata for XMP
Photo Sphere XMP
IPTC Photo Metadata Specification
Choose File > Open, select the image file(s) you want to edit, then click the Open button.
Alternatively, drag one or more image files to the application icon.
Select the file(s) you want to add metadata to in the main window, then choose Metadata > Add > "metadata type".
Note: Thumbnails can be added to JPEG files only.
Select a metadata type, then press the delete key or click "-" button at the bottom of the main window.
- To save the edited files selected in the sidebar:
Choose File > Save - To save all the edited files:
Choose File > Save All
The "Orientation" value may exist in the TIFF, the TIFF in XMP format, and, for HEIC files, within the HEIC Property. It is possible for all of these metadata formats to coexist within a single image file.
◇ TIFF
◇ TIFF in XMP
◇ HEIC Property
If the orientation values differ across these formats, the displayed orientation of the image may vary depending on the application or version of macOS used to view it. This inconsistency arises because different apps and OS versions may prioritize different metadata formats when determining the image's orientation.
Keeping the orientation values consistent across TIFF, TIFF in XMP, and HEIC Property is recommended to ensure the image displays as intended.
Photo Meta Edit displays images with the same orientation as Apple’s Preview app.
◇ Up to macOS 14
| Image Type | Metadata Format Used to Determine Orientation |
|---|---|
| JPEG | TIFF is used. TIFF in XMP is not used. |
| TIFF | |
| PNG | TIFF in XMP takes precedence. If XMP metadata is present, TIFF is not used. |
| HEIC | HEIC Property is prioritized. TIFF in XMP is not used. |
◇ macOS 15 and later
| Image Type | Metadata Format Used to Determine Orientation |
|---|---|
| JPEG | TIFF is prioritized. If it is not present, TIFF in XMP is used. |
| TIFF | |
| PNG | |
| HEIC | HEIC Property is prioritized. TIFF in XMP is not used. |
Note that the behavior may change as macOS or image viewer apps are updated.