ManyEditHow to Remove Location Data From Photos Before Sharing
Guide ยท about 5 minutes to read
A photo can say more than the picture shows. Cameras and phones often store extra details inside the file, including the date, the device and sometimes the exact place the photo was taken. Removing that information before you post a picture is a simple way to protect your privacy.
What is hidden in a photo?
The extra data is called EXIF metadata. Common fields include:
- GPS location: coordinates for where the photo was taken, if the device had location turned on.
- Date and time: when the photo was taken, which can reveal your routine.
- Device details: the camera or phone model, and sometimes the software version.
Most of this data is saved automatically, so you won't see it unless you look for it.
Check whether a photo has location data
On many phones, open the photo and look at its info or details screen. Desktop operating systems also show it in the file's properties. If a map or a place name appears, the photo has location data.
Remove it
The simplest method is to save a new copy without the metadata. Redrawing the picture in a browser and saving it again leaves the metadata behind. Use the remove metadata tool, then check the new file's details to confirm the location is gone.
Choose PNG if you want every pixel kept exactly. JPG or WebP at a high quality setting also works, with a very small change to the picture.
Turn off location in your camera app
To stop the data being saved in the first place, switch off location tagging in your camera settings. The option is usually called location, GPS tags or geotagging. This won't remove data from photos you've already taken.
Before you post
- Remove metadata from any photo that shows your home, workplace or daily routes.
- Check the photo for other clues, such as house numbers, street signs or name badges.
- Keep the original file somewhere safe, in case you need to prove when a photo was taken.