ExifTool — Read & Strip Image Metadata GuideStep-by-step reference: install & use ExifTool to read EXIF metadata — camera, software, GPS — from images, and strip it before sharing to protect your privacy. Educational purposes only.FAQ

What is ExifTool?

ExifTool is a free, open-source command-line tool by Phil Harvey that reads, writes and edits metadata embedded in images, videos and documents. It is the standard utility for inspecting EXIF, IPTC and XMP data.

What is EXIF data?

EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) is metadata written by a camera or phone the instant a photo is taken. It stores the camera make and model, lens, ISO, shutter speed, aperture, the editing software, a timestamp, and on most phones, GPS coordinates.

Why is EXIF dangerous to share?

A photo posted online can carry your exact GPS coordinates, the model of your camera or phone, and the software used to edit it. Attackers and OSINT researchers can read this to locate where a photo was taken or identify the person behind it.

How do I read metadata from a photo?

Run `exiftool photo.jpg` to dump every tag, or `exiftool -gps:all photo.jpg` to extract just the GPS coordinates. Add `-a` to see duplicate tags and `-s` for shorter output.

How do I strip metadata before sharing?

Run `exiftool -all= photo.jpg` to wipe every tag into a clean copy. To also remove the original copy, add `-overwrite_original`. On most phones, the share menu removes GPS automatically — but verify.

Is ExifTool illegal?

No. ExifTool is a legitimate open-source utility. Reading metadata from images you own, or that are public, is fine. Using location data to track or dox someone without consent is illegal — stay on the right side of the law.

Does ExifTool work on videos?

Yes. ExifTool reads metadata from many video formats too, including GPS, camera info and creation time. It also handles PDFs, office documents and audio files.

How do I protect my own photos?

Strip metadata before posting, or disable location tagging in your camera. Always re-check the share menu on your phone before sending a photo, since some apps leak GPS even when you do not expect it.

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