What metadata does a video file contain?
Video metadata is stored in container atoms (MP4/MOV) or tags (MKV/AVI). The fields vary by device, but a typical smartphone video includes:
Privacy-sensitive
- GPS latitude & longitude — exact recording location
- Device model — e.g. "iPhone 15 Pro"
- Recording date & time
- Editing software — e.g. Adobe Premiere
- Copyright & author fields
Technical (less sensitive)
- Codec (H.264, HEVC…)
- Resolution & frame rate
- Bit rate & file size
- Audio codec & channels
- Duration
Method 1 — Check online (free, no install)
The fastest way to inspect a video's metadata is RemoveMD's analyzer. Upload your file, see every embedded field in a clean table, then remove the ones you don't want in one click.
- Go to removemd.com/analyzer
- Drop or browse to your video file (MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, WebM)
- Click Analyze metadata
- Review every field — GPS, device, dates, software
- Click Remove metadata to get a clean copy
Your video is processed in temporary RAM only. Nothing is stored. No account required.
Method 2 — ExifTool (command line)
ExifTool is the most thorough free utility for reading video metadata on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Install it from exiftool.org, then run:
exiftool video.mp4
# Show only GPS, device, and date
exiftool -CreateDate -Model -GPSPosition video.mp4
# Remove all metadata (saves to video_clean.mp4)
exiftool -all= -o video_clean.mp4 video.mp4
ExifTool gives you the most complete view but requires terminal access. For most users, the online method above is easier.
Method 3 — Windows & macOS built-in
desktop_windows Windows
- Right-click the video → Properties
- Go to the Details tab
- Scroll through the fields
⚠️ Shows limited fields — no GPS in the UI.
desktop_mac macOS
- Select file in Finder → ⌘+I (Get Info)
- Or open in QuickTime → Window → Movie Inspector
⚠️ GPS is shown for HEVC/H.264 in some versions.
When video metadata actually puts you at risk
GPS in video files is particularly dangerous because people rarely think about it. Unlike photos, there's no visible "location" stamp in a video player. You can share a clip of your living room and unknowingly include exact GPS coordinates embedded in the file.
Inspect and clean your video now
Free, instant, no account needed.