Read & strip
photo metadata instantly.

1. Drop your photo. Drag any JPEG, TIFF, HEIC, or PNG file into the drop zone, or click to browse. The tool instantly reads and displays all embedded EXIF metadata — camera model, date taken, GPS coordinates, shutter speed, ISO, and more.

2. Review the metadata. Browse the full metadata table to see exactly what information is embedded in your photo. GPS coordinates are shown on an embedded map if available.

3. Click Strip EXIF. The image is re-encoded through Canvas, permanently removing all metadata. Download the clean JPEG — it looks identical, but all hidden tracking data is gone.

What is EXIF data and why should you care?

Every modern camera and smartphone embeds metadata inside every photo it takes, using the EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) standard. It records camera make and model, exact date and time, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, focal length, flash status, metering mode, white balance — and, most critically, the precise GPS coordinates where the photo was taken.

Most people never see this data. When you view a photo in Windows Photo Viewer, macOS Preview, or any social media feed, it's simply invisible. But it's there, embedded directly into the JPEG or TIFF file, readable by anyone with a basic tool. If you email a photo to someone, attach it to a job application, upload it to a government form, or post it on social media, that metadata travels with the image into the recipient's hands.

When GPS data in photos becomes dangerous

Not all EXIF exposure is equal. A camera model and ISO setting are mildly informative. GPS coordinates embedded in a photo are an active security risk in specific scenarios that affect more people than you might expect.

Domestic violence and safety planning: Photographs shared between a survivor and a support service, or posted publicly for a missing-person campaign, can reveal the survivor's current shelter location, workplace, or school. A stalker who intercepts a single photo with embedded coordinates knows exactly where their target is standing.

Journalism and source protection: When a whistleblower sends a photo documenting corporate malfeasance, government corruption, or environmental damage, EXIF data can identify the exact building, factory, or meeting point where the photo was taken. In authoritarian contexts, this isn't just a privacy breach — it's a life-threatening exposure.

Child safety: Parents regularly share photos of their children on social media. A photo taken at home with GPS coordinates embedded reveals the child's bedroom location to anyone who downloads the file.

Stalking and harassment: A photo taken at your home address, with the front door visible in the background and GPS coordinates embedded in the EXIF, lets a stalker navigate directly to your location.

Military and law enforcement: Service members operating in sensitive areas face specific EXIF risks. A photo taken at a base or operational location, even if the image content is unremarkable, can give adversaries intelligence about facility locations and movements.

How to protect your EXIF data

Disable camera location services: On iPhone, go to Settings → Privacy → Location Services → Camera and set to "Never." On Android, Settings → Apps → Camera → Permissions → Location → Deny. This prevents new photos from acquiring GPS coordinates.

Strip EXIF before sharing: Use PixelFix Pro's EXIF Remover to clean any photo before emailing it, uploading to forms, or sharing on messaging apps. The tool re-encodes through Canvas, stripping all metadata automatically.

Check cloud backups: Google Photos, iCloud Photos, Dropbox, and OneDrive all preserve EXIF in backups. Your photo library with GPS data is only as secure as your cloud account.

Use social platforms wisely: Most platforms strip EXIF on upload, but the original file in your camera roll retains it. Always strip EXIF for sensitive photos before posting.