People preparing a photo for public sharing · 6 min read
How to check whether a photo contains location data
A step-by-step workflow for checking the original file, understanding GPS findings, cleaning a copy, and verifying the result.
Check the original file, not a preview
Messaging and social platforms may alter metadata, while exported thumbnails may differ from the camera original. Open the exact source you plan to transform so the result describes that file.
Look beyond a single GPS label
Review latitude, longitude, altitude, and direction together. Also check capture time and visible landmarks that can connect a coordinate to a specific event or routine.
Review checklist
- ✓ Latitude and longitude
- ✓ Altitude and image direction
- ✓ Capture date and time zone
- ✓ Visible signs and landmarks
Create a derivative instead of changing your archive
Keep the original photo in a private archive. Generate a cleaned sharing copy with a distinct file name so you do not accidentally destroy information you still need.
Verify the derivative
Open the newly generated file and rescan it. Confirmation should come from the output bytes, not merely from the fact that a cleaning button ran.
Put it into practice
Check the exact photo you plan to share
The scanner works locally and does not add your filename or extracted metadata to an analytics request.
Open the privacy check