What metadata does this remove?

Re-encoding through the canvas discards all embedded metadata — EXIF (camera model, settings, timestamps), GPS location, and any thumbnail or maker notes. The output contains only the pixels.

Does removing metadata change image quality?

Exporting as PNG is lossless and keeps every pixel. JPEG re-encodes at high quality (95%), which is visually identical for sharing while producing a smaller file.

Can metadata really reveal my home address?

Yes. If a photo was taken at home with location services on, its GPS tag pinpoints your house to within a few metres. Anyone who downloads the unmodified file can read those coordinates, which is why stripping them before sharing matters.

Will recipients be able to tell metadata was removed?

No. The visible image is unchanged — only the invisible EXIF, GPS, and camera data are gone. The photo looks identical; it simply no longer carries hidden information.

Does this work on PNG and screenshots too?

Yes. PNG files can carry software tags and text chunks, and screenshots may include app metadata. Re-encoding through the canvas drops all of it for any common image format.

Is the cleaning done on a server?

No. The image is decoded and re-exported entirely in your browser. The original file is never uploaded, so even the sensitive version stays on your device.

Remove Image Metadata — EXIF & GPS Remover

How to use Image Metadata Remover

Every photo your phone or camera takes carries hidden metadata: the exact GPS coordinates where it was shot, the date and time, the device model, and dozens of camera settings. Sharing the raw file can leak your home address or daily routine without you realising. This tool strips all of that. It re-encodes the image through an HTML canvas — which keeps only the visible pixels and discards every metadata block — then lets you download a clean copy. Nothing is uploaded; the entire process happens in your browser, so your private location data never leaves your device.

Drop an image onto the upload area or click to browse.
Review the detected metadata summary for the file.
Choose JPEG (smaller) or PNG (lossless) output.
Click Download to save the cleaned image.
Verify the new file with the EXIF viewer if you want confirmation.

Your data never leaves your device — 100% private processing.

What metadata photos hide

Image files store far more than pixels. The EXIF block records the camera or phone model, lens, exposure, ISO, and the precise date and time. If location services were on, it also embeds GPS latitude and longitude accurate to a few metres. Many files include a small embedded thumbnail and maker-specific notes too. None of this is visible when you look at the picture, but anyone who downloads the file can read it with a free tool. For photos shared from home, the GPS tag alone can reveal exactly where you live.

Metadata	Example	Privacy risk
GPS location	40.748, -73.985	Reveals where photo was taken
Timestamp	2024-06-01 14:32	Shows your routine
Device	iPhone 15 Pro	Identifies your hardware

How canvas re-encoding strips data

When an image is drawn onto an HTML canvas, the browser decodes it to raw pixels and forgets the original file structure entirely. Exporting that canvas back to PNG or JPEG produces a brand-new file built only from those pixels, with no EXIF, GPS, or maker notes attached. This is a reliable way to guarantee a clean file because there is no metadata block to overlook — the data simply does not exist in the new image. PNG export is pixel-perfect and lossless; JPEG export re-compresses at high quality for a smaller file that looks identical when shared.

Worked examples

Phone photo

Inputs: JPEG with GPS + EXIF

Result: Clean JPEG, no location data

Screenshot

Inputs: PNG with software tags

Result: Pixel-identical PNG, no metadata

Glossary

EXIF: Exchangeable Image File data — camera settings, timestamps, and device info stored in a photo.
GPS tag: Latitude and longitude embedded in a photo, marking where it was taken.
Maker notes: Manufacturer-specific metadata some cameras add to image files.
Re-encoding: Rebuilding an image from its pixels, which drops any embedded metadata.

Related Image Tools

Pencil Sketch Effect

Turn any photo into a pencil-sketch drawing with an adjustable softness slider. Free, private sketch-effect tool that runs entirely in your browser.

Crop Image

Crop images online by entering coordinates or choosing an aspect ratio preset. Free, private, browser-based image cropper. Supports JPG, PNG, and WebP.

EXIF Metadata Viewer & Remover

View EXIF metadata from photos — camera, date, GPS location — and download a clean copy with all metadata removed. Free, private EXIF tool in your browser.

Compress Image

Compress JPG, PNG, WebP images online. Reduce file size by up to 90% without visible quality loss. Free, private, runs in your browser.

Convert Image Format

Convert images between PNG, JPG, and WebP instantly. Free, private, and fast — everything runs in your browser and no files are ever uploaded.

Resize Image

Resize any image online by pixels or percentage. Free, private, and instant — no upload needed, and the original aspect ratio is preserved.

Explore all Image Tools.

Image Metadata Remover

How to use Image Metadata Remover

What metadata photos hide

How canvas re-encoding strips data

Worked examples

Glossary

Related reading

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use Image Metadata Remover?

Common use cases

Get weekly tool tips & updates

Related Image Tools