Privacy guide
What is EXIF metadata in photos?
EXIF is hidden data embedded in many camera and phone exports—camera model, capture time, and sometimes GPS. It travels with the file until you remove it.
Last updated: June 26, 2026
What EXIF actually contains
Exchangeable Image File Format (EXIF) is a block of tags stored inside many JPEG, TIFF, and some PNG/WebP exports. Common fields include date and time, camera or phone model, lens details, orientation, and exposure settings.
When location services are enabled, phones may also write GPS latitude and longitude. That is useful for photo libraries on your device, but risky when you upload the original file to social media, email, or a public website.
Fields people worry about most
GPS coordinates
Can reveal home, workplace, or travel routes when the original file is shared.
Device and serial hints
Camera or phone model tags are usually harmless alone, but add context in investigative or competitive scenarios.
Date and time
Confirms when a photo was taken—relevant for receipts, alibis, and leaked document timelines.
Software and edit history
Some tools leave application names or partial edit trails in metadata.
Before you share a photo
Do
- Remove metadata from copies you post online or attach to tickets.
- Keep an original with EXIF archived offline if you need it for your own records.
- Use Image Metadata Remover locally so files never leave your browser.
Don't
- Assume screenshots always strip GPS—some workflows still embed metadata.
- Believe cropping alone removes EXIF; re-encode or use a dedicated remover.
- Share phone originals when a location-neutral export is enough.
Does Pixlery read my GPS data on the server?
No. Metadata inspection and removal run in your browser. Pixlery does not receive image content or EXIF values.
Will removing EXIF change how the photo looks?
No. Metadata removal re-encodes a copy without embedded tags; visible pixels stay the same unless you also compress or resize.
Do all formats carry EXIF?
JPEG commonly does. PNG may include chunks with similar info. Always check the metadata panel before sharing.