What Is Photo Metadata? EXIF, XMP and GPS Data Explained
Last updated · 5 min read
Quick answer
Photo metadata is hidden text inside an image file. It can show where and when you took the photo, the device that you used and the software that edited it. Anyone who gets the original file can read it.
The types of photo metadata
| Type | What it can contain |
|---|---|
| EXIF | GPS location, date and time, camera or phone model, lens, exposure settings, a small preview image |
| XMP | Editing history, ratings, keywords, the name of the editing software |
| IPTC | Author, copyright, captions and descriptions |
| C2PA (Content Credentials) | A signed record of how the image was made or changed, for example by an AI tool |
| PNG text chunks | Comments and, for some AI images, the prompt and the generation settings |
Why metadata is a privacy risk
The GPS location can show your home, your work or your daily route. The date and the device model help other people connect photos to you.
Some websites remove metadata when you upload a photo. Email, cloud links and files sent as documents usually keep all of it.
How to see the metadata of a photo
- iPhone: open the photo in Photos and swipe up.
- Android: open the photo in your gallery app and tap Details or the info button.
- Windows: right-click the file, select Properties, then the Details tab.
- Mac: open the file in Preview and select Tools > Show Inspector.
- All devices: open WipePic and select View Metadata.
How to remove photo metadata
Open WipePic, add your photos and select Remove Metadata. WipePic works in your browser. Your photos do not go to a server.
WipePic keeps the data that changes how the image looks: the orientation, the color profile, transparency, animation and the HDR data. The pixels do not change, so the photo looks the same.
Questions
Does removing metadata reduce the quality of a photo?
No. WipePic removes only the metadata. It does not compress the image again, so the pixels do not change.
Is EXIF data the same as metadata?
EXIF is one type of metadata. A photo can also contain XMP, IPTC and C2PA data.
Remove the metadata from your photos
Free. In your browser. Your photos do not go to a server.
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