Metadata Inspector

Getting started

Open Metadata Inspector and add one or more supported files. Inspection is read-only and does not modify source files. The macOS app runs under the App Sandbox with bundled helpers — no separate ExifTool or FFmpeg install is required.

Supported media

The app recognizes common photo, video, and audio extensions by filename. Images include JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP, BMP, TIFF, HEIC, HEIF, DNG, and common RAW formats (CR2, NEF, ARW, ORF, RW2). Video includes MP4, M4V, MOV, MKV, AVI, WMV, WebM, MPEG/TS, 3GP, FLV, and OGV. Audio includes MP3, FLAC, WAV, AAC, M4A, OGG, WMA, AIFF, Opus, ALAC, APE, and WV. Unsupported extensions are skipped silently on import.

Opening and adding files

Use File → Open File… (⌘O) to replace the current queue with new files, or File → Add Files… (⇧⌘O) to append. Open Folder… and Add Folder… import supported files recursively from a folder. Drag and drop files or folders onto the main window or sidebar. Clear List removes session items without changing files on disk. Reveal in Finder (⇧⌘R) shows the selected item in Finder.

Summary tab

The Summary tab groups key metadata into sections such as File, Image, Camera, Lens, Capture Date, GPS / Location, Video, Audio, Embedded Artwork, Authorship, Software / Editing, Authenticity Indicators, and Warnings. Empty sections can be hidden in Settings. Authenticity indicators are heuristic hints with a disclaimer — they are not proof of origin or editing history.

All Metadata tab

Browse every tag in a searchable table with Group, Tag Name, Value, Source, and Raw Key columns. Filter by text, group, or source (All, ExifTool, or FFprobe). Copy a value, a row, or all metadata from the Edit menu.

Raw Metadata tab

View unprocessed ExifTool and FFprobe JSON output side by side. Filter by source or search within the text. Copy or save the raw output for external review.

Map tab

When GPS coordinates are present in metadata, the Map tab shows a MapKit preview of the location. Enable or disable embedded map previews in Settings. Map views require GPS metadata — they are not available for every format.

Export formats

Export the selected file's metadata as TXT (⌘E), JSON, or CSV from the File menu. TXT exports can optionally include raw metadata when enabled in Settings. JSON exports the full structured metadata result. CSV exports the tag table. Exports always use a save dialog — the app never writes beside source files automatically.

Batch export

Export Batch (TXT to Folder)…, Export Batch (JSON to Folder)…, and Export Batch (CSV to Folder)… write one file per queued item into a folder you choose. Export Batch CSV… (⇧⌘E) and Export Batch JSON… produce a single combined file. Export Batch Summary (TXT)… writes a text summary across the queue. Batch export is disabled while analysis or export is in progress.

Activity Log

Show Activity Log (⇧⌘L) opens a separate window with timestamps and diagnostics. Export Activity Log… saves the visible log as plain text. Optional file logging in Settings writes rotating logs under Application Support; paths and status are logged, not metadata values.

Offline and local processing

All inspection runs on your Mac. Bundled ExifTool, FFprobe, and FFmpeg read files locally. The app does not upload media or metadata. FFmpeg helpers are built with network disabled for sandbox compatibility.

Sandbox and bookmarks

The macOS app is sandboxed for Mac App Store distribution. When you open files on external drives, NAS volumes, or network shares, macOS may prompt for folder access. The app stores security-scoped bookmarks so you can return to authorized locations without re-selecting every file.

Missing bundled tools

If ExifTool, FFprobe, or FFmpeg is missing or fails verification at launch, a warning banner appears. Per-file analysis may show Warning or Error status when a tool cannot run. FFprobe failure is non-fatal — ExifTool results may still appear. The app never falls back to tools on your PATH in release builds.

Metadata Indicators

Summary may show authenticity and editing hints derived from metadata heuristics — for example GPS presence, editing software tags, or AI-related indicators where detectable. These are informational only and should not be treated as forensic conclusions.

Settings

Settings (⌘,) control duplicate and unknown tag inclusion, hiding empty summary sections, optional raw metadata in TXT export, analyze-on-import, embedded map previews, and file logging. Custom tool paths are not used on macOS — bundled helpers only.

Troubleshooting

• If little or no metadata appears, the file may not contain embedded tags the tools can read.
• If analysis fails for one file, check Activity Log and confirm the file is readable and still present at its path.
• If external volumes fail after restart, re-open the parent folder when macOS prompts for access so bookmarks can be refreshed.
• Map views require GPS metadata in the file. They are not available for every format.
• Export failures usually mean the destination folder is not writable or the save dialog was cancelled.

Keyboard shortcuts

Shortcuts below apply to the macOS app.

macOS

• ⌘O Open File…
• ⇧⌘O Add Files…
• ⇧⌘R Reveal in Finder
• ⌘E Export Metadata (TXT)…
• ⇧⌘E Export Batch CSV…
• ⇧⌘L Show Activity Log
• ⌘C Copy All Metadata
• Delete Remove Selected
• ⌘? Metadata Inspector Help
• ⌘, Settings