What is EXIF metadata?
EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) is metadata embedded in many image files that can include technical details (exposure, ISO, lens), device information, capture date & time, and sometimes GPS location.
What kind of information can EXIF contain?
- Camera & lens: make, model, firmware, focal length
- Capture settings: aperture, shutter speed, ISO, flash
- Date & time: when the photo was taken (and sometimes edited)
- Location (GPS): latitude/longitude (common on smartphones)
- Orientation & software: rotation, editing app, copyright
- Embedded previews: small thumbnails used by some apps
Why remove EXIF?
- Protect privacy: strip hidden GPS coordinates before sharing
- Reduce exposure: hide device details and shooting habits
- Clean files: remove unnecessary metadata for simpler sharing
- Workflow compatibility: avoid odd metadata conflicts in apps
How EraseEXIF works (and why it’s private)
EraseEXIF processes images locally in your browser using JavaScript. The file never leaves your device, so we do not upload, view, or store your images or their metadata. After stripping metadata, you download the cleaned file.
Note: Removing EXIF only affects metadata. Image pixels are not recompressed for JPEG removal (lossless). For PNG/WEBP we re-encode to strip auxiliary chunks, which keeps the same format.
How to use the tool
- Drag & drop images into the box above (or click Choose file).
- Optionally, review the detected metadata summary.
- Click Erase EXIF & Download to generate cleaned files.
- For multiple files, your browser may prompt to allow multiple downloads.
Frequently asked questions
Does removing EXIF change image quality?
No. For JPEG, we remove metadata without touching the pixels. For PNG/WEBP, we re-encode to the same format to remove ancillary chunks; the visual quality is preserved.
Will my images be uploaded to your server?
No. All processing happens in your browser. We do not upload or store your images.
Which formats are supported?
JPEG, PNG, and WEBP. (RAW/proprietary camera formats aren’t supported in this tool.)
Can I restore EXIF after removal?
No. Make a backup if you need to keep the original metadata for archival or cataloging purposes.
Will file size change?
It may become slightly smaller because metadata is removed. The change is usually modest.
Legal & privacy
You’re responsible for the images you process. We never store files. Removing metadata may affect your own cataloging or rights-management workflow, so keep originals if you rely on EXIF.