How to Remove Metadata from Photos on Mac

macOS does not have a built-in feature to remove all metadata from photos. The Photos app can remove GPS location from individual images, and Preview can display metadata, but neither offers comprehensive metadata removal. For complete EXIF, XMP, and IPTC stripping on Mac, use ExifVoid at exifvoid.com in Safari or Chrome — it removes all hidden data including GPS coordinates, device serial numbers, and timestamps entirely in your browser.

How to view metadata on Mac

Open the image in Preview, then go to Tools and select Show Inspector (or press Command-I). The Exif tab shows camera settings, dates, and GPS information. This is useful for checking what data exists but Preview cannot remove metadata.

The Photos app also shows location. Open a photo, click the info button, and you will see where it was taken on a map.

Can the Photos app remove metadata?

The Photos app can remove location from individual photos — click the location in the info panel and select Remove Location. However, this only removes GPS data. Camera serial numbers, timestamps, device model, software information, and all XMP and IPTC metadata remain intact. For an explanation of why all three metadata types matter, see our guide to EXIF vs XMP vs IPTC.

How to fully remove metadata on Mac using ExifVoid

Open Safari, Chrome, or any browser and go to exifvoid.com. Drop in your photo or click to browse from Finder. The Privacy Scan immediately shows everything embedded, with GPS coordinates displayed on an interactive map and all fields categorised by risk level.

Click clean to strip all metadata. The cleaned file downloads with "_clean" appended to the filename so you can easily distinguish it from the original.

Can I use Terminal to remove metadata?

Yes. Install ExifTool via Homebrew ("brew install exiftool") then run "exiftool -all= photo.jpg" to strip everything. This is effective but requires Homebrew installation, comfort with Terminal, and care to avoid accidentally modifying original files. For most Mac users, the browser-based approach is simpler.

Does AirDrop preserve metadata?

Yes. AirDrop transfers the original file with all metadata intact. When you AirDrop a photo to someone, they receive all the embedded GPS data, camera serial numbers, and timestamps. Always clean photos before sharing via AirDrop if privacy matters. The same applies to iMessage — see our iPhone guide for details.

Frequently asked questions

Does Apple Photos strip metadata when exporting?

When you export from Photos using File then Export, metadata is preserved by default. You can choose to export without location data, but other metadata types remain. For complete removal, use a dedicated tool.

Does macOS Finder show EXIF data?

You can see basic information by selecting a file in Finder and pressing Command-I (Get Info), but this shows limited metadata. Preview's Inspector gives a much more detailed view. ExifVoid shows the most comprehensive and privacy-focused analysis of any method.

Will removing metadata break the photo?

No. The cleaned photo displays correctly on all devices. ExifVoid handles orientation automatically during the cleaning process, so your photos will always appear right-side-up regardless of how the original camera saved them.