Most phones save the exact GPS location inside every photo, along with the time and the phone model. Share a photo of your new sofa on a marketplace, and anyone who downloads it might see where you live. Here's how to check and remove it.
What's hidden in a photo
This hidden information is called EXIF data. It can include the GPS coordinates, the date and time, the camera or phone model, its settings, and sometimes the device's serial number or the owner's name. Some apps, such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, remove it when you post, but email, cloud links, messaging apps that send “files”, and many websites keep it.
Check and remove it in your browser
The Remove EXIF Data tool shows exactly what each photo contains, with location highlighted in red, and saves a clean copy. It cuts the data out of the file without recompressing the picture, so the quality is identical, and it works for JPG, PNG and WEBP photos without uploading them.
iPhone
- When sharing: tap Options at the top of the share sheet and turn off Location.
- For future photos: Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Camera → Never.
Android
- Open the Camera app's settings and turn off Location tags (the name varies by phone).
- In Google Photos, open a photo, swipe up for details, and remove or edit the location.
Windows
Right-click the photo → Properties → Details → Remove Properties and Personal Information, then choose to create a copy with all possible properties removed.
Mac
In Photos, select the photo and choose Image → Location → Hide Location before exporting or sharing.
Other privacy checks before sharing
- Look for house numbers, car number plates, documents or screens in the background.
- Hide them with Blur & Pixelate Image.