How to Remove Metadata from Photos on Mac

macOS gives you more options for removing photo metadata than most people realise — including one built directly into the Photos app and another accessible through Preview without any additional software. Here is every method for stripping GPS, EXIF, and other hidden data from photos on a Mac.

Method 1: Remove Location in the Photos App (Quick GPS Removal)

The macOS Photos app includes a built-in option to remove location from individual photos.

1. Open Photos and select the image
2. Go to Image in the menu bar
3. Select Location → Remove Location

This removes the GPS field from the photo quickly and without any additional tools. It modifies the original file in your Photos library.

Limitation: This only removes GPS data — not other EXIF fields like camera model, serial number, timestamps, or XMP data from editing software.

Method 2: Remove All Metadata Using ExifVoid (Recommended)

For complete metadata removal across all standards (EXIF, XMP, IPTC), ExifVoid is the most thorough option.

1. Go to exifvoid.com in Safari or any browser on your Mac
2. Drag a photo from Finder directly into the upload area — or click to browse
3. ExifVoid scans the file and shows all embedded metadata including a GPS map if location is present
4. Click Remove All Metadata
5. Download the cleaned version

The process happens entirely in your browser — no server upload, no account needed. The cleaned file is saved to your Downloads folder and the original is untouched.

Method 3: Export Without Location from Photos App

If you want to export a copy of a photo without location data while keeping the original intact in your library:

1. Select the photo in Photos
2. Go to File → Export → Export 1 Photo (or Export [n] Photos for multiple)
3. In the export dialog, look for the option Location Information
4. Untick Include Location Information
5. Click Export

This exports a clean copy without GPS data. Other EXIF fields (camera, timestamp, settings) are retained.

Method 4: Use Preview to Re-Encode and Strip Metadata

Preview, macOS's built-in image viewer, can strip most metadata through re-export:

1. Open the photo in Preview
2. Go to File → Export
3. Choose JPEG format and adjust quality if desired
4. Save with a new filename

Re-encoding through Preview strips most EXIF data including GPS. However, this is not guaranteed to remove all metadata fields, and quality loss depends on the compression setting chosen.

Method 5: Check Metadata in Preview Before Removing

To inspect what metadata a photo contains before deciding what to remove:

1. Open the photo in Preview
2. Go to Tools → Show Inspector (or press Cmd+I)
3. Click the GPS tab to see location data
4. Click the EXIF tab for camera settings, device info, and timestamps

For a more complete view including XMP and IPTC data, drag the photo into ExifVoid.

Removing Metadata from Multiple Photos on Mac

Photos app batch location removal: 1. Select multiple photos in the Photos app (Cmd+click each one) 2. Go to Image → Location → Remove Location

This removes GPS from all selected photos simultaneously.

For complete metadata removal from multiple photos: ExifVoid handles one photo at a time in the browser. For batch processing of many files, the command-line tool ExifTool is available for Mac via Homebrew (`brew install exiftool`) and can process entire folders with a single command.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AirDrop remove metadata when sharing photos on Mac?

No. AirDrop transfers the original file exactly as it exists, including all metadata. If you AirDrop a photo, the recipient receives the full EXIF, GPS, and XMP data. Strip metadata before sending via AirDrop.

Does exporting from Lightroom remove EXIF data?

No. Lightroom exports include full EXIF data by default. In Lightroom's Export dialog, under Metadata, you can choose which fields to include. Selecting Copyright Only removes most personal data. Selecting None removes all metadata from the export.

Does compressing a photo on Mac remove its metadata?

Generally no. Compressing a photo through the Photos app export dialog or Preview reduces file size but typically retains metadata. Resizing an image in Preview may strip some fields but is not a reliable removal method.

How do I know if a photo's metadata has been successfully removed?

After removing metadata, drag the photo back into ExifVoid to verify. If the GPS map does not appear and the metadata fields are empty, the removal was successful.