GPS · Latitude · Longitude · Altitude · Erased
Remove GPS from Photos
Updated: May 2026
Modern smartphones automatically embed precise GPS coordinates into every photo. This data can reveal your home address, workplace, or daily routine. Here's how to remove it — without touching the rest of the metadata.
GPS-only mode available · Exposure data preserved · 100% local
⚠️ Did you know? A photo taken at home with an iPhone contains your GPS coordinates accurate to within 5 meters. Anyone with basic EXIF software can plot your address on a map in seconds.
What GPS EXIF fields contain
- GPSLatitude / GPSLatitudeRef: latitude in degrees, minutes, seconds + hemisphere (N/S).
- GPSLongitude / GPSLongitudeRef: longitude in degrees, minutes, seconds + hemisphere (E/W).
- GPSAltitude: altitude in meters above sea level.
- GPSSpeed: movement speed at the time of capture.
- GPSImgDirection: the direction the camera was pointing.
- GPSTimeStamp / GPSDateStamp: precise UTC timestamp.
GPS-only mode vs full removal
Flowfiles offers two approaches:
- Remove all: strips all EXIF, IPTC and XMP metadata. Best for public sharing.
- GPS only: removes only the GPS sub-IFD from the EXIF block, keeping camera, date and exposure settings. Best for professional photographers who want to maintain their technical history.
How to disable GPS on iPhone and Android
To prevent future photos from containing GPS data:
- iPhone: Settings → Privacy → Location Services → Camera → Never.
- Android: Camera Settings → Location → Toggle off.
For photos already taken, use Flowfiles to clean them before sharing.
Frequently asked questions
How can I see the GPS data in a photo before removing it?
Flowfiles automatically displays the metadata read from the file, including GPS coordinates converted to decimal degrees (e.g. 48.858456° N). You see exactly what will be removed before downloading the cleaned file.
Does GPS removal work on iPhone photos?
Yes. iPhones use standard EXIF format in JPEG files. The binary removal strips the GPS sub-IFD from the embedded TIFF block, which works on all iPhone/iPad photos regardless of iOS version.
How can I verify GPS was successfully removed?
Download the cleaned file, then drop it back into Flowfiles — no GPS data should appear. You can also use Windows file properties (Details tab) or macOS Preview (Tools → Inspector) to confirm.