How to view a photo's metadata

Every phone photo carries hidden extra information, known as EXIF data: where it was taken, on which device and when. Before you share a photo, it's worth a look inside – above all to see whether it gives away your location. Here's how on every device.

The quickest way: drop the photo into ExifGone. You'll instantly see location, camera, date and every other field.

Check a photo now →

What metadata does a photo contain?

Location (GPS coordinates), often accurate to a few metres, sometimes with altitude and direction
Camera or phone and lens, e.g. "iPhone 15 Pro"
Date and time the photo was taken
Camera settings such as exposure, ISO and aperture
Sometimes also software, a serial number, a name or a copyright notice

iPhone

Open the photo in the Photos app.
Swipe up or tap the (i).
You'll see device, lens, time taken and – if stored – a map showing where it was taken.

Android (Google Photos)

Open the photo in Google Photos.
Swipe up. Under Details you'll find the date, camera and – if stored – the location.

Windows

Right-click the photo and choose Properties.
Open the Details tab. It lists the camera, date taken and, under "GPS", latitude and longitude as numbers.

Depending on your setup, Windows may need an extra extension to show HEIC photos from an iPhone.

Mac

Open the photo in Preview.
Choose Tools → Show Inspector.
Open the EXIF tab and – if present – the GPS tab.

On any device: in your browser with ExifGone

Open exifgone.com.
Drop in or select a photo or video – HEIC, PNG, WebP, MP4 and MOV work too.
The key details appear instantly. A location is highlighted in red, with a link to the map. Under Show all fields you'll see every single field.

More than your phone shows. Photo apps usually show only location, device and date. Fields such as software, serial number or XMP data stay hidden. ExifGone lists everything in the file. And because it all happens in your browser, the photo is never uploaded. The map only opens when you click the link.

The location is in there – now what?

One click on Remove metadata and ExifGone cleans the photo losslessly: location, device and date are gone, the image stays unchanged. More: Remove metadata from iPhone photos and Remove GPS location from a video.

Frequently asked questions

How can I see where a photo was taken?

If the photo contains GPS coordinates, the Photos app on iPhone and Android shows a map. In ExifGone the location is highlighted in red, with a link that shows it on OpenStreetMap.

Why doesn't my Android phone show a location in the browser?

When you pick a photo in the browser, Android usually removes the location itself. The original on your phone still contains it, though. If you copy it to a computer by cable or share it via a cloud link, the location can go with it.

Can I see where photos from WhatsApp or Instagram were taken?

Usually not. WhatsApp (when sending as a photo), Instagram and Facebook remove the metadata on upload. Photos from emails, cloud links or files sent as documents are different – they often still have it.

Is my photo uploaded?

No. ExifGone reads the photo right in your browser. It never leaves your device.

Curious what your photos give away?

Go to ExifGone →