SUMMARY This problem was already reported on discourse: https://discuss.pixls.us/t/writing-metadata-to-image-files/48446 I don't want to change metadata of all of my files at once, I prefer editing my files and applying changes manually only when I am satisfied with the result. STEPS TO REPRODUCE 1. Configure DikiKam to not update metadata in files automatically 2. Open and edit some metadata in a random file (like GPS or Tag) 3. press Write Metadata to File OBSERVED RESULT Source image files are not changed EXPECTED RESULT I should be able to see changes in my file now SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS Linux/KDE Plasma: Fedora 43 Flatpak release: 8.8.0 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If writing is disabled in the digiKam settings under metadata, then even when a write operation is forced, only that operation will be performed, or none at all. That is intentional. Maik
Note that metadata should never be written unless explicitly allowed in the settings. If you want to delay write operations, the Lazy Sync option might be of interest to you. Maik
Also double check the application permissions to setup with FlatPak. Look links listed here for details: https://www.digikam.org/download/binary/#linux-sandbox
> only that operation will be performed, or none at all. That is intentional. If this is intentional, then in case of disabled synchronization with files this button should be greyed-out/disabled. Because having a button which does nothing may be a bit misleading for new users.
In mentioned thread, you can see that I am not the only person which got confused by current behavior.
Git commit a34b4c3ec225a34b03844a180dde0f60aa5027f1 by Maik Qualmann. Committed on 29/11/2025 at 21:37. Pushed by mqualmann into branch 'master'. disable metadata write action if no option is enabled in the setup FIXED-IN: 8.9.0 M +5 -3 core/app/main/digikamapp.cpp M +10 -5 core/libs/metadataengine/engine/metaenginesettings.cpp M +5 -0 core/libs/metadataengine/engine/metaenginesettings.h M +15 -0 core/libs/metadataengine/engine/metaenginesettingscontainer.cpp M +2 -0 core/libs/metadataengine/engine/metaenginesettingscontainer.h https://invent.kde.org/graphics/digikam/-/commit/a34b4c3ec225a34b03844a180dde0f60aa5027f1