How to remove EXIF and GPS data from a photo
Photos can carry hidden metadata, including GPS location. Learn what EXIF is and how to remove it before you share a picture, in your browser, with no…
Free tool for this: EXIF stripper →
What is EXIF data, and why does it matter?
EXIF is metadata stored inside an image file. It sits next to the pixels, so you do not see it.
Typical fields are the camera or phone model, the date and time, and the settings used. If location tagging was on, it can also hold GPS coordinates.
Coordinates can show where a photo was taken, for example a home or a workplace. Under the GDPR, 'location data' is named as one of the identifiers that can make information personal data (Article 4(1)). So think before you share.
Example: a fictional photo of a bicycle, taken by 'Sample Person' at home, could carry coordinates that point to that home. The picture itself shows only a bicycle.
How to check whether your photo has location data
Many phones show a map or a place name in the photo's info panel. If you see one, the file has GPS data.
Not every app strips metadata when you share. Some do and some do not, so do not assume.
- Open the photo's details or info view on your device.
- Look for a location, map pin or coordinates.
- If you find one, remove it before you share the file.
Remove EXIF and GPS data in your browser
Our EXIF stripper runs on your device. The photo is processed locally and is not uploaded.
You can test it first with a fictional sample photo, not a real one of you or anyone else.
- Open the EXIF stripper at /exif-stripper/.
- Drop your JPG, PNG or WebP onto the page, or choose the file.
- Check the metadata the tool lists for your file.
- Click 'Download clean copy'.
- Share the cleaned copy and keep the original private.
Prevent it next time, and know the limits
Most phone camera settings let you turn off location tagging for new photos. Look in the camera or privacy settings.
Removing metadata does not change what the picture shows. Street signs, house numbers, faces and reflections can still identify a place or a person.
If a photo shows other people, think about whether you have a reason to share it. That is a separate question from metadata.
Always check the cleaned file once. Open its info panel and confirm the location is gone.
Tools for this
FAQ
Is EXIF data personal data under the GDPR?
It can be. The GDPR lists 'location data' as an identifier in Article 4(1). If metadata can identify a person, directly or together with other information, it is personal data. Whether it is depends on the case.
Does removing EXIF make a photo anonymous?
No. It removes the hidden metadata only. A face, a license plate or a recognisable place in the picture can still identify someone.
Is the photo uploaded when I use the EXIF stripper?
No. The tool works in your browser on your device. You can confirm this by opening your browser's network tab while you use it.
Do social networks remove EXIF data for me?
Some platforms do and some do not, and they can change this at any time. Strip the data yourself before you share if you want to be sure.
Will the cleaned photo look different?
It should look the same to the eye. Check the result before you share it.