Remove hidden metadata from images, PDFs, and documents instantly — including GPS location, camera info, author details, and timestamps. 100% private, browser-based, no server uploads.
Click to upload or drag and drop
Images (JPG, PNG, WebP, HEIC), PDFs, JSON, text files · Max 50MB
Upload a file to remove metadata
100% Private
No server uploads, ever
GPS Removal
Strip exact coordinates
Instant Processing
Runs in your browser
Images + PDFs
Multiple file types
A metadata remover (also called an EXIF remover, metadata cleaner, or metadata stripper) is a privacy tool that permanently deletes hidden data embedded inside digital files — photos, PDFs, documents, and more. This hidden data, known as metadata, can contain surprisingly sensitive information that you almost certainly don't want to share with every person who receives your file.
Every photo you take with a smartphone or digital camera automatically embeds a detailed record into the image file itself. This record — called EXIF data (Exchangeable Image File Format) — includes your exact GPS coordinates, the date and time the photo was taken, the camera model and serial number, lens settings, and even software edit history. When you share that photo via email, messaging apps, or online platforms, this data travels with it — invisible to the naked eye but fully readable by anyone with a metadata viewer.
Our free metadata remover processes everything entirely inside your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your files are never uploaded to any server — making this the most privacy-secure way to strip sensitive metadata from your images and documents.
Most people are completely unaware of how much sensitive information is embedded in their photos. Here's what a single unstripped image can reveal:
GPS metadata in photos taken at home is accurate to within a few meters. Anyone who receives your photo can pinpoint your home address, workplace, or regular locations using free EXIF viewer tools — no technical expertise required.
Timestamps reveal when and how often you're in specific locations. A pattern of early-morning photos at one GPS location followed by daytime photos at another clearly reveals your home-to-work commute route and schedule.
Camera model and serial number data can identify your specific device. Combined with other photos taken with the same camera, this creates a digital fingerprint that links images back to you even if you've shared them anonymously.
Author, creator, and copyright fields in EXIF/IPTC/XMP metadata often contain your full name, contact information, or username — especially for photos edited in Lightroom, Photoshop, or professional photography software.
XMP sidecar data embedded by Lightroom and Photoshop includes your full edit history, software version, presets used, and editing timestamps — valuable intelligence for competitors or anyone trying to understand your professional process.
Business photos shared externally can expose proprietary information: office location metadata, staff names in author fields, and timestamps that conflict with official records. Removing metadata before external sharing is a security best practice for enterprises.
1. Upload Your File
Click the upload area or drag and drop your file. Supports images (JPG, PNG, WebP, HEIC, GIF), PDFs, JSON, and text files up to 50MB. Your file is read entirely in your browser — nothing is transmitted to any server.
2. Select Metadata to Remove
Use the checkboxes to choose which metadata types to strip. By default, all sensitive categories are selected: EXIF data, GPS coordinates, timestamps, author information, comments, IPTC, and XMP. Toggle individual options if you want to keep specific metadata (e.g., keep copyright but remove GPS).
3. Process Your File
Upload your file to start processing. For images, the tool re-encodes the image through an HTML5 canvas, which strips all EXIF, IPTC, and XMP metadata automatically. For PDFs and text files, specific metadata fields are targeted and removed from the file structure.
4. Review What Was Removed
The results panel shows exactly which metadata categories were successfully stripped — GPS coordinates, timestamps, author info, EXIF data, and more. You can also see the original vs. cleaned file size.
5. Download Your Cleaned File
Click 'Download Cleaned File' to save the metadata-free version. The filename is automatically renamed to include '-cleaned' so you can easily distinguish it from the original. Your original file remains completely unchanged on your device.
This is one of the most common misconceptions about photo privacy. While some platforms do strip metadata from uploaded images, many do not — and even those that do often retain metadata internally even if they don't expose it publicly.
| Platform / Method | GPS Stripped? | EXIF Stripped? | Safe to Share? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes (public) | Mostly | Moderate — internal retention unknown | |
| Yes (public) | Mostly | Moderate — retained for internal use | |
| Twitter / X | Yes | Yes | Generally safe for public posts |
| Email attachments | No | No | Unsafe — full metadata preserved |
| WhatsApp (direct send) | Partial | Partial | Unsafe — quality reduced but metadata may persist |
| Dropbox / Google Drive | No | No | Unsafe — full metadata preserved |
| iMessage | No | No | Unsafe — full metadata transmitted |
| SMS MMS | Partial | Partial | Partially safe — reduced but not stripped |
The safest practice is to always strip metadata before sharing, regardless of the platform. Don't rely on third-party services to protect your privacy — take control yourself with a browser-based metadata remover that processes your files locally.
Photos of items sold on eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or Etsy may reveal your home address via GPS metadata. Always strip location data before posting product photos publicly.
Photos of children shared on social media, via email, or in parenting groups can expose your home address, school location, and daily routine through embedded GPS coordinates.
Journalists and activists working in sensitive environments must strip all metadata before sharing images. GPS coordinates can endanger sources, reveal safe houses, and expose operational security.
Property listing photos often reveal interior details and precise GPS coordinates in metadata. Agents and sellers should strip metadata to prevent security risks and protect privacy.
Removing author, copyright, and camera metadata from client deliverables may be required by contract. Stripping personal information prevents metadata from interfering with image licensing agreements.
Organizations handling EU citizen data must comply with GDPR's data minimization principle. Removing personal metadata from images and documents before storage or transmission supports compliance requirements.
Internal documents shared with external parties may contain author names, edit timestamps, and revision history that reveal confidential information about internal processes and personnel.
Photos shared on dating platforms or social networks can reveal home and work locations to strangers via GPS metadata. Stripping location data before uploading is a basic personal safety measure.
Medical photography for research or consultation must be stripped of all identifying metadata before sharing to maintain HIPAA compliance and protect patient privacy.
For images, our tool re-encodes through an HTML5 canvas at 95% quality by default — visually indistinguishable from the original at typical viewing sizes. Enable 'Preserve Quality (95%)' for the best output. For PDFs and text files, metadata removal is purely structural and does not affect the content or visual appearance at all.
EXIF data and image pixels are stored separately within the file. Removing EXIF data does not modify the actual pixel data that makes up your image. The resulting file is identical in appearance to the original — only the hidden metadata record is deleted.
No. All processing happens entirely within your browser using JavaScript canvas and file APIs. Your files are never transmitted over the internet, never stored on any server, and never accessible to anyone but you. This browser-based approach is fundamentally more private than tools that require server uploads.
Yes. Use the individual checkboxes to select only the metadata types you want to remove. For example, you can check only 'GPS Coordinates' while leaving EXIF camera settings, timestamps, and author information intact. This selective removal gives you precise control over your privacy.
iPhone photos in HEIC or JPEG format typically contain: precise GPS latitude/longitude accurate to a few meters, the exact date and time, iPhone model and iOS version, camera settings (focal length, aperture, ISO), Face ID/motion-related data, and potentially iCloud account information in some editing apps.
Instagram strips GPS and most EXIF data from publicly visible photos, but the platform retains metadata internally for its own analytics and advertising targeting. For maximum privacy, strip metadata before uploading — don't rely on Instagram's processing. For direct messages, metadata may be preserved.
EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) stores camera technical data and GPS coordinates. IPTC (International Press Telecommunications Council) stores editorial information like captions, keywords, and contact details. XMP (Extensible Metadata Platform) is Adobe's newer standard storing edit history, ratings, and workflow data. Our tool removes all three.
Some JPEG files contain an embedded thumbnail in the EXIF data that shows the uncropped original image — even if you've cropped the main image. Our canvas re-encoding removes these embedded thumbnails along with all other EXIF data, ensuring the cleaned file contains no hidden visual data.
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