What's Hidden in Your Photo?

Every photo you share carries a hidden file inside it: where it was taken, what device took it, when, and how it was made. You cannot see it, but anyone who downloads the photo can. Here is exactly what is in there, what it reveals about you, and how to remove it.

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Last updated June 2026

See what is in your own photo

Drop a photo into the metadata checker and it shows every hidden field — location, device, timestamps — without uploading the file anywhere.

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The five kinds of hidden data in a photo

"Metadata" is an umbrella term for several different layers of information packed into an image file. Here are the main ones and what each can expose.

EXIF

Camera make, model, and serial number, lens and exposure settings, the date and time, and GPS coordinates.

Remove EXIF →

GPS / geotag

The exact latitude and longitude a photo was taken — often accurate to the street.

Remove GPS / geotag →

XMP

Editing history and creator data added by apps like Photoshop and Lightroom, including some AI tool signatures.

Remove XMP →

IPTC

Captions, author, copyright, and keyword fields used by publishers and stock libraries.

Remove IPTC →

C2PA / Content Credentials

Signed provenance data that marks a file as AI-generated or edited, which platforms read automatically.

Remove C2PA / Content Credentials →

What it reveals about you

Hidden dataWhat someone can learn
GPS locationWhere you live, work, or were at a given moment
Device make, model, serialWhat you own, and a way to link all your photos together
TimestampsYour daily patterns and when you were somewhere
Editing & AI tagsThe apps, tools, and workflow behind your images
Embedded thumbnailSometimes the original version of a photo you cropped

How to remove it

StripShot strips every layer of this at the binary level — no re-encoding, no quality loss, nothing uploaded. Pick the guide that matches what you need:

EXIF Remover

Strip camera, GPS, and timestamp EXIF from any photo.

Remove All Metadata

Clear EXIF, XMP, IPTC, and C2PA in one pass.

Remove GPS & Location

Focused on geotags and the location a photo reveals.

Remove Metadata on iPhone

iOS-specific, including HEIC photos.

Remove Metadata on Android

Samsung, Pixel, and more — no app needed.

Clean Photos Before Selling

Keep your home location out of marketplace listings.

Frequently asked questions

What is photo metadata?

Metadata is information stored inside an image file that is not the picture itself — where and when it was taken, what device took it, the camera settings, editing history, and (for AI images) generation data. It rides along with the file wherever you send it.

Can people really see this data in my photos?

Yes. Anyone who can download your file can read its metadata in seconds with free tools. Some platforms strip parts of it on upload, but it is inconsistent, and files sent by email, chat, or as a download often keep everything.

What is the most sensitive thing hidden in a photo?

Usually the GPS coordinates. Phones tag photos with the exact spot they were taken, frequently your home, and that location travels with the file. Device serial numbers and timestamps are close behind.

Does removing metadata change how my photo looks?

No. StripShot removes only the hidden data at the binary level, leaving the pixels byte-for-byte identical. The photo looks exactly the same; it just no longer carries your personal information.

Is it free, and are my photos uploaded?

It is free to start with no account, and nothing is uploaded. Everything runs in your browser, so your photos never leave your device.

Pricing

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