Remove location and camera data from photos
Most phone cameras write EXIF metadata into each photo: the time, the GPS position, the device model and settings, and sometimes the owner's name or the camera's serial number. Some sites strip it on upload, but email, messaging apps that send files and cloud links usually keep it.
See what a photo contains
- Windows: right-click the file, choose Properties, then the Details tab.
- Mac: open it in Preview and choose Tools, Show Inspector, then the info tab.
- iPhone: open the photo in Photos and swipe up to see the place and device.
- Android: in Google Photos, open the photo and swipe up for details.
- Any device: open it in the image tool, which lists EXIF, GPS, XMP and IPTC fields beside the picture.
Save a copy without it
- AnyRedact: open the photo and download it. The file is re-encoded from the pixels, so no metadata is carried over. Redacting text or faces is optional.
- Windows: in Properties, Details, use "Remove Properties and Personal Information" and choose to create a copy.
- iPhone: in the share sheet, tap Options and turn off Location before sending.
Location without metadata
Stripping EXIF does not hide what is in the frame. Street signs, house numbers, number plates, school logos and views from a window can place a photo just as well. Turn on picture redaction for road signs and number plates, and box out the rest by hand.