pixelHow to remove source EXIF and GPS metadata from images
Reviewed · PixelDesk practical documentation
PixelDesk removes source EXIF, GPS and text metadata by decoding the image and exporting a new canvas-encoded copy. It does not copy the source metadata blocks into that export. This process can change pixels and file size; it is not a byte-for-byte lossless metadata editor.
What image metadata can contain
An image can contain camera settings, software identifiers, dates, orientation or location information alongside its encoded picture. The presence and structure depend on the file and the software that created it. Visible signs in a photo, such as a street name, are separate from embedded metadata.
Inspect the source before changing it
The image metadata viewer reports dimensions, bytes, transparency and supported EXIF fields locally. It can indicate detected GPS presence without displaying coordinates. It does not parse every proprietary field, profile or maker note. A missing GPS flag is not proof that every possible location field was checked.
Create a separate copy
- Keep the original in a separate location.
- Open the image in Remove metadata.
- Choose the output format, quality and transparency or background setting.
- Process, inspect the full-size result and download the new file.
The selected file is read into browser memory. PixelDesk has no image-upload endpoint. Its ordinary page, script and artwork requests still reach the site host; see the privacy explanation.
Choose a format based on the result you need
| Export | Pixel handling | Transparency |
|---|---|---|
| PNG | Lossless encoding of decoded canvas pixels; file size can grow | Can be preserved |
| JPEG | Lossy encoding at the selected quality | Filled with a solid background |
| WebP | Browser encoding at the selected quality | Can be preserved |
Browser decoding, color handling and orientation can affect the newly encoded pixels. Browser encoders may also add their own color or resolution information. “Source metadata not copied” is more accurate than claiming a file contains no metadata of any kind.
What this does not remove
Re-encoding does not remove visible information from the picture. Inspect faces, documents, signs and screenshots separately. Shapes & arrows can add an opaque filled rectangle; blur and pixelation alone do not guarantee that hidden information cannot be inferred.
Base64 encoding retains the original bytes and metadata. It is not a substitute for creating a re-encoded image copy.
Try it with the sample