How to Remove Location Data from iPhone Photos

iPhones are among the most popular cameras in the world, and by default they embed GPS location data into every photo you take. This guide explains how to remove that data before sharing your photos.

Why iPhones embed location data

Apple enables location tagging by default because it powers useful features — the Photos app organises images by location, creates travel memories, and lets you search by place. The trade-off is that this GPS data stays embedded in the file when you share it outside the Apple ecosystem.

Method 1: Disable location tagging in Camera settings

You can prevent location data from being recorded in the first place. Go to Settings, then Privacy & Security, then Location Services, and find Camera in the list. Set it to Never. This stops future photos from containing GPS data, but it won't remove location from photos you've already taken.

Method 2: Remove location when sharing from Photos app

Starting with iOS 15, Apple added a built-in option to strip location when sharing. Open the photo, tap the Share button, then tap Options at the top of the share sheet. Toggle off Location. This removes GPS data from the shared copy while keeping the original intact on your device. However, this only works when sharing through the iOS share sheet — it won't help if you're uploading directly through a website or app.

Method 3: Use ExifVoid for complete metadata removal

For thorough metadata removal — not just GPS, but camera serial numbers, timestamps, device information, and all other hidden data — use ExifVoid. Open exifvoid.com in Safari on your iPhone, drop in your photo, scan it to see everything that's embedded, and clean it with one tap. The processing happens entirely on your device, and the cleaned file is ready to share anywhere.

Which method should you use?

For casual sharing with friends and family, the built-in iOS sharing option is convenient. For anything going to a public audience — marketplace listings, forum posts, social media on platforms that don't strip metadata, or professional contexts — use ExifVoid for complete removal. The few seconds it takes could prevent your home address from being exposed to strangers.