Metadata on video files missing when downloaded to Windows 10 PC via iCloud.

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Level 1

13 points

Metadata on video files missing when downloaded to Windows 10 PC via iCloud.

This has been functioning 100% for years until THE DAY I updated my iPhone 15 Pro Max to iOS18. Video files taken BEFORE the update still download complete with metadata. So the problem must be iOS18 has changed the file format itself???

I have 2 other devices updated to iOS18 and they exhibit the same problem. So it's not iPhone 15 related.

Metadata is present and correct on PHOTOS downloaded to the PC no problem.

NOTE: The metadata is still present on the file info on the PHONE!

I have contacted Apple about this, but got nowhere. My only hope is someone had the same problem and fixed it with ease and thought nothing of it.

CLUES:

1) if I change the camera format from my usual Most Compatible to High Efficiency, the metadata does download with the video.

2) if I convert the downloaded MOV file to MP4, the metadata re-appears.

The downside to this is, when I download my holiday videos, there's no way of putting them in sequence as the Date Aquired or Taken fields are blank.

Anyone put me out of my misery?

Michael

iPhone 15 Pro Max

Posted on Nov 2, 2024 6:55 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

mlhifi Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 7, 2025 5:23 AM in response to pleeseemailme

As far as I can see, P3 does not integrate with the home screen, unless there is something in the extensive settings that I'm missing..

Yes, this is the one I was referring to.

You can try it for free, see if it fits your needs. I eventually paid for the full version.

I get what you're saying about spur of the moment 'shooting', that can be annoying to have to unlock and navigate. I have put the icon where the integral Apple Camera icon was.

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Answer 2

Dec 15, 2024 12:45 PM in response to mlhifi

I use my windows pc as my personal icloud. in fact 2 pc's 1 as a backup of the main files as i have them on demand. i delete the .aae files and all the ZERO length video files,this save s a lot of space, i cant just delete the smaller video files as some are 4 -5 seconds of actual video, i want to keep. i currently have 4TB of data kept going back to 2011 please fix the meta data for aspect, length especially length. I dont want to convert until i create my videos and it also wastes a lot of time just to sort and delete files not needed

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Answer 3

72clg

Level 1

14 points

Nov 7, 2024 5:32 AM in response to mlhifi

@mlhifi I've noticed the same thing since I updated my iPhone 12 Pro Max to IOS18 with all the Metadata removed from the MOV files. I use the Tags field to help filter my photo files and I'm not able to add this to the MOV files now, but if you convert them to MP4 I'm able to update the fields without any issues

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Answer 4

Dec 26, 2024 6:05 AM in response to mlhifi

Thanks for the quick response. I can confirm my photos are just fine and it's the videos that are not working. Unfortunately, my version of iPhone only offers the 'high efficiency' option at 4k and 60fps.

And I don't want to change the other setting to make all photos/videos high efficiency, because the heic format for photos also omits certain metadata fields I use on Windows.

Regarding a workaround, I've actually been using the 'ProCam' app for a few years now. It will (and still does) record videos in .mov format and allow all the metadata to work on PC. My main issue there is just remembering to open my phone and use ProCam instead of the ios camera that I can access from the lock screen.

My next step is going to be to look for some kind of converter app for either my phone or PC that will save all the metadata that is actually there on the new .mov formatting, but just won't show up on PC. It's just remarkably unfortunate that I have to go and find (and likely pay for) another app to work with my Apple videos on PC.

Thanks again; and good luck on your journey too. Let me know what you find.

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Answer 5

Nov 3, 2024 1:05 AM in response to mlhifi

that's why icloud is not really a good solve-all-your-problems type of service. Refrain from putting files on icloud unless if you absolutely need to. Always keep it local and make frequent backups, that is the best way to prevent syncing issues and loosing important metadata information from cloud services.

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Answer 6

mlhifi Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 2, 2025 10:01 AM in response to pleeseemailme

I finally settled on Camera P3. It does everything I need but at a cost. £14.95 I can live with that.

What I CAN'T live with is that, after updating to iOS18, I had to going looking for a solution to a problem that should NOT have existed! And it's only taken me ALMOST 4 months and fifteen quid!

However, I must admit that this app gives me way more control over the camera settings than the built-in app does.

So, in a way, thank you Apple.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

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Answer 7

mlhifi Author

Level 1

13 points

Nov 4, 2024 7:11 AM in response to mlhifi

But something is bugging me: I said it before but it'sworth thinking about -

If I convert a downloaded MOV file, that shows no metadata, and I convert it to MP4, the metadata appears. WHAT?

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Answer 8

mlhifi Author

Level 1

13 points

Nov 4, 2024 6:34 AM in response to ghostanime2001

No, absolutely not. I've always recorded videos in 1920 x 1080 in H.264.

It is true that when in MOV format, there's no metadata and in MP4, metadata is present.

To re-iterate, if I download ANY other videos from iCloud PRIOR to iOS18, they download in MOV format but with metadata in tact. For now, I am going to switch to HEVC until I can find a workaround.

The left half is from a video 3 days ago and the right half is a video I took 4 days prior to iOS18.

I am lost. I really appreciate your time.

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Answer 9

mlhifi Author

Level 1

13 points

Nov 3, 2024 1:26 AM in response to ghostanime2001

It’s annoying because it worked flawlessly up until iOS18.

I was hopeful iOS18.1 would solve the issue but sadly not.

I looked at the root directory of the iPhone and found the videos concerned. Downloaded them directly to the PC but still no metadata.

As I mentioned, if I use High Efficiency mode, the metadata is present once again but the resolution is only 720. But that is an option.

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Answer 10

Nov 3, 2024 9:15 AM in response to mlhifi

mlhifi wrote:

It’s annoying because it worked flawlessly up until iOS18.

I was hopeful iOS18.1 would solve the issue but sadly not.

I looked at the root directory of the iPhone and found the videos concerned. Downloaded them directly to the PC but still no metadata.

As I mentioned, if I use High Efficiency mode, the metadata is present once again but the resolution is only 720. But that is an option.

Did you by any chance record the video in HEVC format from the beginning ?

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Answer 11

mlhifi Author

Level 1

13 points

Nov 8, 2024 3:00 AM in response to 72clg

Yes, I discovered the same, MOV to MP4 and metadata is available once again.

Windows 10, in the store, does a simple program that does that in bulk too. Very useful.

It's called "Any Video Converter" in case you are not aware of it.

No idea how many it can do at one time, but I've done 6 in one go.

Your screen grabs are exactly the same as mine, before and after. It is definitely iOS 18 that caused this. I spent far too long on the phone with Apple but got nowwhere.

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Answer 12

Dec 24, 2024 8:53 PM in response to mlhifi

Hello there,

Did you ever find a solution to this? I just downloaded all my photos to my PC for my semi-annual backup and everything after I updated to IOS 18 is a complete mess. I started looking around and this thread has been the most helpful; but it still doesn't seem to show a solution for how to get the metadata, and in particular the date taken, to show up in windows explorer and the file properties.

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Answer 13

mlhifi Author

Level 1

13 points

Dec 26, 2024 2:42 AM in response to pleeseemailme

Hi,

Your photos should still be ok with regard metadata after iOS18.

With videos, I still have the problem. Only 2 ‘solutions’ although not perfect.

1) in camera settings, set 1080p HD at 30fps (High Efficiency). This gives you metadata although shows as 720p despite the setting 🤷‍♂️

2) use the Blackmagic camera app. This does give metadata and 1080p but is quite complicated.

I am still investigating the Camera P3 app but I need to be sure first before paying for it. There is a free version but I can’t record in H264 without actually paying; I think!

Sorry I can’t give you much more than that.

However, if you find a solution, please let me know on this thread.

Good luck.

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Answer 14

Jan 3, 2025 6:48 AM in response to mlhifi

I agree, this is a problem that should not have existed. Does this P3 cameral integrate with the home screen at all? My biggest issue with my 3rd party cameral is unlocking the device and navigating to the camera app, especially when its a spur of the moment video I'm taking.

Also, is the P3 camera the one developed by Thomas Blackburn? My search for P3 camera didn't return any exact results.

Thanks!

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Answer 15

Bidou013

Level 1

8 points

Jan 18, 2025 10:14 AM in response to mlhifi

Same problem for me , started somewhere early november .

DSLR Fuji X-T4 = Quicktime .mov files; HEVC ;codec id : hvc1; Rec 709 std file & BT 2020 Full color range;

chroma 4:2:0; 10 bit- Main 10@5.2@High and 100 to 400 Mb/s .METADATA ON EVERY FILE

Iphone : same but BT 2020 color range limited for Main 10@L5.1@High &bit rate from 50 to max 100 Mb/s

or +/- 700 Mb/s and Format profile ProRes 422 HQ in AppleLog .NO MORE METADATA except on 720 p.

Looking at this i think we can exclude the file types because it affects only the file from the Iphone but none from the Fuji.

The data is there because MediaInfo shows it, it's just not visible.

And, when transformed in .mp4 via Handbrake the metadata is visible again.

The big question is : Does it originate from WIN 10 ( yes i'm still on 10 ... and i know why ) or from Apple ?

And since september 2024 i had both the IOS & a WIN 10 update .......

Please Apple , make this right , i don't want to open 150 files in Metadata nor convert the original Apple files into .mp4

Thank you

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