How to delete location information from photos on Android | Check GPS deletion before sharing with Google Photos

Photos taken with Android may include GPS location information depending on the camera app settings. Before posting a photo on social media or sharing it via email, cloud, marketplace listings, or work messages, it is important to check what kind of location information is included in the photo.

Since the Android screen differs depending on the model and camera app, here we will explain how to think about using Google Photos and the points you should definitely check before sharing.

Check and change location information with Google Photos

Google Photos allows you to edit or remove some of the location information that appears in your photos.

1. Open the target photo in Google Photos

2. Check the location information items from the details or edit menu

3. If the location information can be deleted, Delete location information

4. After saving, check if location information remains on the details screen

However, you may only be able to edit inferred or manually added locations in Google Photos. GPS information embedded in photo files by the camera may not be deleted from Google Photos.

If you are concerned about the GPS information embedded in the camera

If you want to remove the GPS information recorded by the camera at the time of shooting from the shared file, the surest way is to make a public copy and delete the metadata when exporting.

With MistSeal, when saving an image for publication, you can create a copy with unnecessary metadata removed. You can also check the address, signboard, map, car license plate, etc. in the image at the same time, making it easier to check before posting on SNS.

If you do not want to leave location information in future photos

Review your camera app's location permissions for new photos you take. The setting name and screen location will vary depending on the model, but please make sure that the camera app can access your current location.

For photos that have already been taken, the location information will not be deleted even if you change the settings at the time of shooting. You must review existing images one by one before publishing and sharing them.

Clues to visible locations that remain even when GPS is turned off

Even if you delete the location information of a photo file, the information in the image itself will remain.

• Road signs, station names, store names, school names
• Address of telephone pole or mail
• Screenshot of map, current location, and nearest station
• Characteristic buildings outside the window
• Location information tag for posts

If you want to hide letters, numbers, or QR codes, use a solid color that is more opaque than mosaic, and enlarge the saved image to check it.

Frequently asked questions

If I delete location information from Google Photos, will the GPS information always disappear?

There are limits to the types of location information that can be deleted in Google Photos. If you want to ensure that the GPS information embedded by the camera is removed from the shared file, it is safe to make a public copy with the metadata removed and check the exported file.

Should I check the location information when posting Android photos to SNS?

yes. Don't rely on the specifications of the posting destination; instead, check the GPS information of the photo file, the signboard or map in the image, and the location information tag at the time of posting.