What is EXIF? How to delete photo location and shooting information | Check list before publishing

EXIF is metadata that may be included in photos, such as the date and time the photo was taken, device information, camera settings, and location information.

Information that may be included in EXIF

In addition to the image data itself, photo files taken with smartphones or digital cameras may contain the following metadata (EXIF) (*Not all images necessarily include this).

• Date and time taken (specific date and time the photo was taken)
• Device name/manufacturer name (model name of iPhone, Android, etc. used for shooting)
• Camera name/lens settings (aperture value, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, etc.)
• Editing software information (name of software used for processing and resizing in the past)
• GPS location information (longitude, latitude, altitude of shooting location)
• Image rotation information (vertical and horizontal directions according to camera orientation)

*Depending on the type of original image, the storage format, and the settings of the camera app used, these may not be recorded or only some of them may be included.

Information that does not disappear even if EXIF is deleted

Even if you erase EXIF (metadata) from an image file, the ``visible image content'' remains intact. Therefore, if the following personal information or clues are included in the photo, you will need to separately edit the image to hide it.

• Addresses, telephone pole signs, and store names that appear directly in the image
• Current location and nearest station on map app screenshot
• Smartphone notification displayed on the screen, email address, order number
• Name, address, and various barcodes/QR codes printed on tickets and slips
• The photo file name itself (e.g. date or sequential number, such as `IMG_20260702_123456.jpg`)
• The main text of the post, tags set on the SNS/service where the post is posted, and current location information

Confirmation steps before publication

To avoid problems, please check the following steps before uploading your images:

1. Check the text and notifications in the image

Visually check the entire image to make sure there are no reflections in the background, corner text, or notifications.

2. Hide the necessary areas with solid paint

If there is important information, cover it completely with a solid cover rather than a mosaic.

3. Check EXIF deletion settings when exporting

When saving (exporting), make sure that the settings are set to delete metadata such as EXIF and location information.

4. Check the exported image

Open the final output image file once, enlarge it, and check for any oversights.

EXIF settings in MistSeal

MistSeal allows you to control unnecessary metadata when exporting (saving) images for publication.

• EXIF deletion settings when exporting: With the standard export options, you can delete EXIF ​​data (location information, etc.) before saving.
• JPEG/JPG handling: When saving in JPEG format, general metadata areas including location information (GPS) tags are cleaned before output.
• Handling with PNG/WebP: When the original image is PNG or WebP, or when exporting in those formats, the metadata storage method is different from JPEG. MistSeal removes as much unnecessary information as possible, but the extent of metadata cleared may vary depending on program specifications and original data structures.
• Influenced by the original image condition: If the metadata has already been corrupted or changed via other processing software or SNS, the content of the information that is retained or deleted may differ.

*These settings are to assist in deleting metadata, and may not be able to be completely deleted due to the specifications of the program or original data, or the contents of the image itself cannot be changed.

Difference between EXIF deletion and location information

Location information may be included as part of EXIF. If you want to check and manage details by focusing on location information (GPS information), please also check the explanatory article below.

Things to check when deleting EXIF ​​for free"EXIF deletion" is the process of organizing metadata remaining in photo files, such as shooting date and time, device information, camera settings, and GPS location information. Addresses, notices, names, signs, QR codes, etc. that are visible in the photo cannot be deleted by EXIF ​​deletion, so they must be considered separately from the process of hiding the contents of the image.

When creating images for publication, you can reduce the number of omissions by following the steps below.

1. Check the face, text, notifications, and background in the image

2. Hide characters and codes that are difficult to read with opaque solid paint.

3. Delete EXIF/location information when saving

4. Reopen the output file and check both the image and information

Deletion of location information for each device is explained separately in How to delete photo location information on iPhone and How to delete photo location information on Android.

Frequently asked questions

Do screenshots also have EXIF?

EXIF information such as GPS location information and shutter speed at the time of camera shooting is usually not recorded in "screenshots" captured with a smartphone or PC. However, there is a risk that personal information may be reflected directly on the contents of the screen (notifications, tabs, etc.), so it is necessary to check the contents.

Will EXIF ​​disappear when I post to SNS?

Many major SNS (Twitter/X, Instagram, etc.) automatically delete EXIF ​​information when posting, but depending on the service and posting method (such as sending a file attachment to a message), it may be shared without being deleted. It is safe to clear it yourself before relying on other services.

Will all my personal information be deleted if I delete EXIF?

no. By erasing EXIF, you can remove "invisible hidden data" such as the coordinates (GPS) of the shooting location and the date and time of the shooting, but the text (name, address, etc.) in the image itself and the scenery in the background will not be erased. Please be sure to check the contents of the image as well.

Review the information and metadata in your image before saving.

How to remove EXIF ​​for free?

When exporting images for publication, use settings that allow you to remove metadata such as location information. However, even if you erase EXIF, the address, name, and QR code in the photo will remain, so please hide the necessary areas with solid color.