EXIF Viewer and Metadata Remover for JPEG and PNG

EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) information is commonly stored alongside image data by cameras and phones. Depending on the device and application, a photo may contain the camera manufacturer and model, capture date and time, shutter speed and aperture, ISO sensitivity, orientation instructions, focal length and lens details, GPS latitude/longitude/altitude/direction, thumbnails, and editing-software information.

Not every image contains EXIF, and not every metadata record is EXIF. Images can also contain XMP, IPTC, ICC color profiles, PNG text chunks, application data, and other containers.

The removal process is pixel-based: the browser reads the file as a data URL, an image element decodes it, a canvas is created at the decoded image width and height, the visible image is drawn onto the canvas, and canvas.toBlob() writes a new image using the original MIME type when available. Because the original file containers are not copied into the new blob, the output normally omits EXIF and other source metadata blocks — this differs from editing individual tags, since the file is decoded and re-encoded from its visible raster.

The tool does not selectively keep copyright, creator, color-profile, or orientation tags, and it does not provide a checkbox list of fields to remove. For a source named holiday-photo.jpg, the download is named clean-holiday-photo.jpg: the canvas encodes using the file's MIME type, so JPEG input remains JPEG and PNG remains PNG in normal browser support, and the original extension is retained. There is no output-format selector, quality slider, batch mode, or ZIP download — only one image is processed at a time.

Removing EXIF can change image quality. JPEG is lossy, and canvas export re-encodes the pixels using the browser's default JPEG quality because this tool supplies no quality setting, so file size and fine detail may change even at the same dimensions. PNG output uses lossless encoding, but decoded color management or specialized chunks can still differ from the source — the canvas copy is not a byte-for-byte clone. Compare the clean result at 100% zoom and keep the original if fidelity or archival provenance matters.

Some JPEGs store pixels in one orientation and rely on an EXIF Orientation tag to display them upright. Modern browsers often apply that orientation while decoding, and drawing to canvas can bake the displayed orientation into new pixels while discarding the tag; behavior varies, so verify the clean output is upright and has expected dimensions before distributing it. Similarly, an embedded ICC profile may not be preserved, so a color-managed application can display the clean copy differently from the source. For print, product photography, or archival work, use tooling that can preserve or deliberately convert color profiles while removing privacy-sensitive tags.

Removing metadata does not remove sensitive content visible in the pixels. Street signs, badges, faces, screens, documents, reflections, house numbers, and distinctive landmarks can still disclose information. Cropping does not guarantee metadata removal, and metadata removal does not blur faces. A complete privacy review may include metadata removal, cropping, visual redaction or blurring, checking background and reflections, reviewing the filename, and verifying the final exported file. Do not confuse "clean metadata" with anonymous imagery.

Metadata can also be edited or forged easily, so do not use displayed camera or date information as proof of authorship or authenticity. And because metadata viewers and image decoders parse complex formats, keep your browser updated and do not treat the tool as a malware scanner — a malformed or hostile image can still stress browser memory or target decoder vulnerabilities.

Image inspection and canvas re-encoding happen in the browser. EXIF.js is loaded from third-party content delivery infrastructure, and the photo is not sent to a dedicated metadata-removal API by this workflow.

Client-side processing reduces one exposure path but does not protect against a compromised device, malicious browser extension, screen capture, local downloads, or clipboard history. Handle sensitive photos according to your organization's policy, preserve the original privately, generate the clean- copy, confirm orientation and dimensions, inspect it with an independent metadata tool, review the filename and visible content, and share only the verified clean copy.