What a Live Photo pair contains
A Live Photo uses a still image, commonly HEIC or JPEG, and a short MOV resource. The pair normally carries a shared content identifier so software can treat both files as one dynamic asset.
Takeout folders can also contain unrelated short videos with the same basename pattern, so proximity and naming are evidence rather than proof.
Reliable pairing cases
When both resources contain the same identifier, the pair can be verified. When the still retains its identifier and the MOV has lost it, the existing value can be restored to the video and read back.
Cross-folder pairing requires stronger evidence because album copies and repeated camera names can produce several plausible candidates.
Why missing MakerNotes are different
The still-image identifier lives inside Apple-specific MakerNotes. Creating a missing MakerNotes structure is not equivalent to writing a normal EXIF field and can copy unrelated camera metadata if handled as a template block.
If both sides have lost the identifier, a new random value may create a technically consistent but historically false pair.
Conflicts must remain visible
Two different existing identifiers are a conflict, not a repair invitation. The files may be unrelated, one resource may have been edited, or the export may be incomplete.
Takeout Rescue rejects conflicting identifiers and records the limit instead of silently rebinding a family memory to the wrong motion clip.
Organize without separating resources
Keep verified or plausible still/video resources in the same year or year/month directory. Deduplication must recognize that the MOV is an intentional component, not an expendable duplicate of the image.
Test repaired pairs in Apple Photos or the intended destination before reorganizing the complete library.