mdls error on macOS

[pejax]

When I run exiftool with no iptc metadata under macOS 15.2, I get an mdls error - even though the utility is installed:

Code Select Expand

exiftool -iptc:all <image.jpg>
Warning: Error running "mdls" to extract MDItem tags
Is there an option for exiftool to not run xattr/mdls on media files completely ignoring macOS tags?

Thanks

[Phil Harvey]

I don't understand why ExifTool is running mdls with the command you gave.  Do you have a config file that uses some of the optional API settings?

- Phil

[pejax]

I just noticed that the mdls error only occurs when I copy the Exiftool config file (without modifications) to the home directory (as .Exiftool_config). I checked the contents but could not find any hint what might cause exiftool to invoke mdls.

[Phil Harvey]

Setting the API RequestAll option to 3 will do it.  Read about the MDItem tags here for an explanation.

- Phil

[pejax]

Ah - got it, thanks!