What are .ON1 Sidecar files?

.On1 sidecar files are created for the corresponding image file where metadata changes and edit information are stored. These sidecar files are important for ON1 Photo RAW and where we store important edit information.

You want to keep these with the image files.

If you move or delete them, you’ll delete the settings applied to the photo.

These files are not visible within the app, but you'll see them in the folder where they reside with the images in the Finder.

Can I Disable These Files From Getting Created?

You can disable the .on1 sidecar files from being created in the ON1 PHOTO RAW >Preferences>Files pane.

(However we do not recommend this, as they act as a backup as well for edits in the event of any database corruption)

Cataloged folders and Keyword AI scanning:

.ON1 sidecar files will also get created for any 'cataloged folder'  and also for keyword AI scanned folders.

A common occurrence you can see is when you Export out a new JPG or other file and if you are Exporting to a 'Cataloged Folder' location, new .on1 sidecar files will get created for your Exported images. To avoid .on1 sidecars from getting created, you'd want to Export to a non-cataloged folder location.