What EXIF data reveals
EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) is a block of metadata baked into every JPEG and most other photo formats at the moment of capture. It is invisible to the eye but readable by anyone who inspects the file.
Privacy-sensitive EXIF fields
- GPS latitude & longitude
- GPS altitude
- Device make & model
- Camera serial number
- Date & time of capture
- Software / editing app
Technical EXIF fields
- Shutter speed & aperture
- ISO sensitivity
- Focal length
- White balance
- Flash fired
- Color space & ICC profile
Method 1 — Remove online (free, no install)
RemoveMD processes photos in temporary RAM and returns a clean file with all EXIF stripped. Works on any browser, no account required for single files.
- Go to removemd.com — create a free anonymous account (no email)
- Drag your JPEG, PNG, HEIC, WebP or TIFF to the upload zone
- Download the clean file — zero bytes of EXIF left
Process up to 5 photos at once on the free plan.
Method 2 — Windows (built-in, free)
Windows Explorer can delete most EXIF fields without any extra software:
- Right-click the photo → Properties
- Click the Details tab
- Click "Remove Properties and Personal Information" at the bottom
- Choose "Remove the following properties from this file" → check all → OK
Windows removes most EXIF but may leave some fields. For a guaranteed full strip, use the online method or ExifTool.
Method 3 — macOS (Photos app or Preview)
Photos app (macOS 13+)
- Open the photo
- Image menu → Remove Location
- Export without metadata: File → Export → uncheck "Include location data"
Only removes GPS — not camera model or dates.
Preview — export trick
- Open in Preview
- File → Export
- Save as PNG or JPEG
Strips most EXIF on export — not completely reliable.
Method 4 — iPhone (iOS 16+)
iOS 16 added native metadata control when sharing photos:
- Open the photo in the Photos app
- Tap the share button (box with arrow)
- In the share sheet, tap Options at the top
- Toggle off Location
- Share — the recipient gets a copy without GPS
This only strips location. Camera model and date remain. To remove everything, upload to RemoveMD from Safari or use the Shortcuts automation below.
Pro tip: disable GPS in camera globally
Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Camera → Never. New photos will have no GPS, but historical photos still contain it.
Method 5 — Android
Android doesn't have a one-tap "remove all EXIF" button, but Google Files and some gallery apps can strip location:
Google Photos — remove location
- Open photo → ⋮ menu → Edit location
- Tap the trash icon to remove GPS
To strip all EXIF including device model and dates on Android, use the RemoveMD web app in Chrome — upload, process, download.
Method 6 — ExifTool (bulk processing)
ExifTool is the most powerful free command-line option, ideal for processing hundreds of photos at once:
exiftool -all= photo.jpg
# Remove GPS only
exiftool -gps:all= photo.jpg
# Batch: strip all EXIF from every JPEG in a folder
exiftool -all= -ext jpg /path/to/folder/
# Safe: write clean copies to a subfolder instead of overwriting
exiftool -all= -o clean/ *.jpg
Which method removes the most?
Strip all EXIF in one click
Free, anonymous — no email, no storage.