# Does modifying mp3 tag data while playing damage the file?
**URL:** https://community.mp3tag.de/t/does-modifying-mp3-tag-data-while-playing-damage-the-file/67740
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [March 5, 2025, 11:42pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/does-modifying-mp3-tag-data-while-playing-damage-the-file/67740 "2025-03-05T23:42:41Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@chaosrealm93](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/chaosrealm93)
#### Post date: [March 5, 2025, 11:42pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/does-modifying-mp3-tag-data-while-playing-damage-the-file/67740/1 "2025-03-05T23:42:41Z")
does modifying mp3 tag data while playing damage the file?
ex. if im playing a mp3 file with VLC and im modifying and saving tag data like genre or saving a new cover photo, does this damage/corrupt the mp3 file?
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### Author:  [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [March 6, 2025, 6:44am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/does-modifying-mp3-tag-data-while-playing-damage-the-file/67740/2 "2025-03-06T06:44:32Z")
Whch further evidence have you got since
> [@Changing and saving MP3 meta while playing](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/changing-and-saving-mp3-meta-while-playing/45467):
>
> Hey all, If i'm playing an MP3/FLAC file with VLC or any media player and i make a change to the metadata (title etc.) in mp3tag and save it, all while the file is playing in VLC, will i damage/corrupt the file in any way?
In general: Modifications by other programs than the player itself are likely to upset the player and depending how it treats the files (e.g write a play counter) this may lead to a damaged file.
If you modify the data from within the player, then the player has full control over the file and probably (provided, it has been programmed in a decent way) will not do any damage.
Why do you ask again?
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### Author:  [@system](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/system)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2025, 6:45am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/does-modifying-mp3-tag-data-while-playing-damage-the-file/67740/3 "2025-04-05T06:45:24Z")
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