How do you remove metadata from a photo?

Removing only location differs from removing personal metadata. Consider capture dates, author names, descriptions, editing software and serial numbers too. First read the original’s privacy overview in the checker.

“Not found” means recognized fields were not detected. An error or format limitation may mean some data could not be checked. We distinguish these cases clearly and provide no safety score.

1. Choose your JPEG photo and wait for the details.
2. Go to Which data would you like to remove? All detected categories are selected by default; data that was not found cannot be selected.
3. Keep checked what you want to remove. Uncheck what you intend to preserve, such as camera data and capture date.
4. Choose Remove metadata to create a new copy.
5. Read the recheck, then choose Download JPEG copy.

The choices cover location, name and author information, camera and lens, serial numbers, capture date and other photo dates, and editing software. Choose at least one type of data to remove.

For example, keep location, name, serial numbers and editing software checked. Uncheck camera and photo dates. We then try to preserve supported camera and date fields and remove the other selected data.

You choose which recognized data to remove, such as location, author, camera data, capture dates and editing information. All detected categories are selected by default; undetected data cannot be selected. Unchecked supported data is preserved. Descriptions, thumbnails and other additional data are always omitted. Your original stays intact and the JPEG image is not recompressed.

Orientation and color information may be preserved. A color profile helps display colors correctly, but may also contain text. The copy is therefore not guaranteed to be free of all metadata. Read the recheck before sharing it.

• Removed: data found in the original that is no longer recognized after processing.
• Preserved: data still found. You can see whether this matches your selection or whether something remains despite your removal choice.
• Not fully checked: information that cannot be fully verified, such as additional camera manufacturer data.
• Preserved for display: data that helps display the correct orientation, aspect ratio and colors.

We also show the file size before and after. A smaller file alone does not mean all personal information is gone. Read the notices, inspect the photo and check its filename before sharing.

Descriptions, thumbnails and other additional metadata are always omitted. Only supported data can be intentionally preserved. We cannot recognize every form of hidden information and do not declare a photo fully anonymous.

The same removal selection applies when you use Remove metadata from JPEG photos for the whole selection. Check your choices in the photo details first. They cannot be changed while copies are being created.

Choose up to 20 files, each up to 25 MB and 150 MB in total. Only supported JPEG photos receive a new, rechecked copy. Other formats are skipped; a damaged file does not block the rest.

Download successful copies together as a ZIP. When in doubt, open each photo’s details to see what is preserved. Duplicate filenames receive a number.

Changed your removal choices afterwards? Earlier copies in the overview are discarded and must be recreated. Previously downloaded files remain unchanged. Keep the original separately and share the correct new copy.

The checker reads metadata from PNG, HEIC/HEIF and TIFF, but does not export cleaned copies of those formats or convert them to JPEG. Your PNG’s transparency is unchanged; the checker does not create a cleaned PNG copy.

To edit these files, use software that explicitly supports the format. Keep the original and check the resulting copy again.

After creating a JPEG copy, you can choose Check the visible pixels too. We then compare browser renderings of the original and copy. The result counts differing pixels at zero tolerance. Color processing can also affect it.

Want to view two chosen files side by side or with a comparison slider? Open Compare photos. For targeted editing of author, copyright, description or capture time, use the JPEG editor. Editing EXIF is not the same as removing all metadata.