Keep your Entagged code on Sony cameras after editing

Table of contents

• Overview
• Why Entagged code disappears
• How to preserve code on Mac
• How to preserve code on Windows
• FAQ
• The takeaway

Overview

This article is relevant for you if you edit or convert your Sony JPG or RAW files before uploading - for example, exporting from Lightroom, converting RAW files, or editing in other software.

In that case, the code that Entagged sends to your camera can get lost during editing. Without that code, GotPhoto can no longer match the affected photos automatically.

To prevent this, we offer a script that copies the code to a metadata field that survives editing. See below for why the code disappears and how to fix it on Mac or Windows.

[Optional] The script can also rename your files to include the saved code.

Why Entagged code disappears

On Sony cameras, the code that Entagged sends to the camera is stored in a non-standard EXIF field called "ImageID" (EXIF tag 0x2043). GotPhoto automatically detects this field in JPG files uploaded directly from the camera.

Many editing tools don’t retain non-standard metadata fields like "ImageID." Lightroom exports and RAW converters are the most common cause – they strip this field during export or conversion, which is why it matters if you shoot in RAW.

The script we provide copies the value from "ImageID" into the "UserComment" field, which survives editing and is visible in Lightroom’s metadata view as well as other tools.

How to preserve code on Mac

1. Install ExifTool:
   1. Download the latest "MacOS Package" from ExifTool.org.
   2. Open the .dmg file by double-clicking it.
   3. Run the installer by double-clicking the .pkg file. If you get a warning about an unidentified developer, Ctrl+click (or right-click) the file, select Open, then click Open again.
   4. Complete the installation. No app will open, but ExifTool will now be available to use.
2. Download the Mac script: EntaggedCopyToUserCommentAndRename.zip
   1. Double-click to unpack the zip file.
   2. [Optional] Move EntaggedCopyrightToUserComment.app to your Applications folder.
3. Run the script:
   1. Start the app by double-clicking it. If you get a warning about an unidentified developer, Ctrl+click (or right-click) the file, select Open, then click Open again.
   2. Follow the prompts to select the image folder.
4. Verify the result:
   1. Open an edited image in Preview.
   2. Go to Inspector > Exif tab and check that the UserComment field contains the same code that was previously in ImageID. If a code appears there, it worked.

How to preserve code on Windows

1. Download the script: EntaggedCopyToUserCommentAndRename-Windows.zip
2. Double-click to unpack the zip file. Inside, find the EntaggedCopyToUserCommentAndRename.cmd file – it includes detailed instructions.
3. Run the script:
   1. Drag and drop your image file or folder onto the .cmd file.
4. Open the .cmd file in Notepad to edit these options:
   1. [Optional] Enable or disable file renaming.
   2. [Optional] Generate a CSV file listing filenames and codes.
5. Verify the result:
   1. Open an edited image with ExifTool or another metadata viewer.
   2. Check that the UserComment field contains the same code that was previously in ImageID.

FAQ

Does this work with cameras other than Sony?
No. The script is built specifically for the "ImageID" field, which only Sony cameras use.

Do I need to use Lightroom for this to apply to me?
No. The issue occurs with any software that strips the "ImageID" field during export or conversion – not just Lightroom.

Can I run the script on photos I’ve already edited or exported?
Yes, as long as the files are still JPGs and the original "ImageID" field is still present. If it’s already been stripped, the script can’t recover it.

What do I do with the images after running the script?
Upload them to GotPhoto as usual. The system will now detect the code in the UserComment field.

The takeaway

Using this script, you can keep using Entagged with Sony cameras without losing codes when you edit or convert your photos. Once the script has run, upload your images to GotPhoto as usual.