Calabi Labs · Guide · 2026-05-25

How to add iphone 16 pro metadata to a video

How to Add iPhone 16 Pro Metadata to a Video

Adding iPhone 16 Pro metadata to a video is typically done to ensure compatibility, proper playback behavior, or to tag content with the correct device information for post-production workflows. Here's how to do it:

What Is iPhone 16 Pro Video Metadata?

iPhone 16 Pro records in HEVC (H.265) with specific attributes:

Attribute	Value
Codec	HEVC / H.265
Max Resolution	3840 × 2160 (4K)
Frame Rates	24, 25, 30, 60, 100, 120 fps
Color Space	Display P3 / Rec. 2100 HLG
Bit Depth	10-bit
Device Model	iPhone16,1

Method 1: FFmpeg (Free, Most Flexible)

Install FFmpeg if you haven't already, then use this command:

``bash ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v copy -c:a copy \ -metadata make="Apple" \ -metadata model="iPhone 16 Pro" \ -metadata make_="Apple Inc." \ -movflags +use_metadata_tags \ output.mp4 ``

To set specific frame rate and resolution metadata:

``bash ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \ -c:v libx265 -crf 18 -r 120 \ -vf scale=3840:2160,pix_fmts=yuv420p10le \ -metadata model="iPhone 16 Pro" \ -metadata device=iPhone16,1 \ output_iphone16pro.mp4 ``

Method 2: Adobe Premiere Pro

Import your video into Premiere Pro.
Right-click the clip → Modify → Interpret Footage.
Check "Use this metadata to conform media" and set the correct frame rate.
In the Effects Control panel, you can manually tag the clip name with iPhone 16 Pro.
Export via File → Export → Media, choosing HEVC and your target resolution/bit depth.

Method 3: HandBrake (Simple GUI)

Open HandBrake and load your video.
Select the Apple TV 4K or Fast 1080p30 preset as a starting point.
Under Video, set:

Codec: H.265 (x265)
Framerate: match your source
Quality: RF 18–22 for high quality

Click Save Meta Data (folder icon in the summary bar) and fill in:

Name: iPhone 16 Pro
Artist/Album: your content identifier

Encode.

Method 4: ExifTool (Metadata Only, No Re-Encoding)

If you don't want to re-encode, just inject metadata:

``bash exiftool -overwrite_original \ -Make="Apple" \ -Model="iPhone 16 Pro" \ -DeviceName="iPhone16,1" \ -VideoCodec="HEVC" \ -ImageWidth=3840 \ -ImageHeight=2160 \ -FrameRate=120 \ input.mp4 ``

Quick Checklist

[ ] Identify your source codec and target use case
[ ] Choose re-encode vs. metadata-only injection
[ ] For HEVC compliance, use FFmpeg with libx265 or HandBrake
[ ] Set device model to iPhone16,1 for accuracy
[ ] Verify with a media inspector (e.g., MediaInfo) after processing

Common Pitfalls

Wrong frame rate → video plays too fast or slow; always match or interpret correctly.
Missing color metadata → footage looks washed out; include color_primaries=bt2020 and transfer=bt2100-hlg in FFmpeg if needed.
Audio desync after tagging → re-encode audio (-c:a aac -b:a 256k) rather than copying if issues persist.

Why Does This Matter?

Correct metadata ensures your footage behaves predictably in editing software (Premiere, Final Cut, DaVinci Resolve), plays back with the right color profile, and carries the right device tags for asset management and archival systems.

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