Photo Metadata Cleaner
Every photo you take carries hidden metadata, exact GPS coordinates, the make and model of your device, and sometimes even a cropped-out thumbnail of the original image. This tool reads that metadata, shows you exactly what it reveals, and strips it out before you share the photo. Everything happens locally in your browser: the file is never uploaded to any server.
Every photo you take carries hidden metadata: exact GPS coordinates, the make and model of your device, the date and time down to the second, and sometimes a cropped-out thumbnail of the original image. This tool reads that metadata, shows you exactly what it reveals, and strips it out before you share the photo. Everything happens locally in your browser, the file is never uploaded to any server.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EXIF metadata and why does it matter?
EXIF data is information your camera or phone embeds automatically in every photo, including GPS location. Sharing a photo with location data intact can reveal your home address, workplace, or daily routine to anyone who checks.
Does this tool upload my photo anywhere?
No, the file is read and cleaned entirely in your browser using local processing, it's never sent to a server.
Which photos should I always clean before sharing?
Any photo taken at home, your workplace, or a location you don't want publicly known, especially before posting to social media or a marketplace listing.
Related: Digital Footprint Check · Privacy Settings Checklist
No files added yet. Add an image and we'll show you what's hidden inside it.
Your file stays here
The image you choose is never uploaded, saved, or sent anywhere. Reading, cleaning, and downloading all happen inside your own browser.
To verify: disconnect from the internet and try again, or keep your browser's dev tools "Network" tab open. You won't see a new request when you add a file.
What does a photo give away?
- Location: the exact spot it was taken, often to within a few meters. A single photo taken at home can reveal your address.
- Date and time: shows where and when you were somewhere, enough to infer routines.
- Device and serial number: links photos shared under different accounts back to the same person.
- Embedded thumbnail: the uncropped original can remain hidden inside a photo you thought you'd cropped.
Good to know
- Cleaning doesn't hide the content of the image itself: a visible street sign, house number, or on-screen notification stays exactly where it is.
- Most social networks strip metadata on upload, but keep it for themselves. "Send as file" in messaging apps usually passes the data through untouched.
- For JPEG, PNG and WebP, only the metadata sections are removed, the pixel data itself isn't touched, so there's no quality loss.
- iPhone HEIC files can't be opened in a browser. Under Settings > Camera > Formats, choose "Most Compatible" to shoot JPEG, or convert to JPEG when sharing.