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Every photo taken has a treasure trove of details hidden from view. This information is known as “metadata.” The metadata of an image file includes information like the date the photo was taken, the file’s name, photo dimensions, information about the camera, and much more. Knowing how to access a photo’s metadata can be very useful when you need to sort and organize all your photos.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to view the metadata of a photo. We’ll also go over commonly asked questions about editing and removing photo metadata.
How to View the Metadata of a Photo on an iPhone
There are a few types of metadata available, but the metadata you’ll probably focus on the most is called EXIF data or Exchangeable Image File Format. The other two standard formats of metadata include IPTC (International Press Telecommunications Council) and XMP (Extensible Metadata Platform). EXIF data is the most important kind of metadata since it’s created every time you take a photo with your mobile phone or your camera.
The metadata, or EXIF data, can be viewed in different ways, depending on the device you’re using. Since you can’t use the Photos App on your iPhone to do this, you’ll have to go about it in another way. Apple doesn’t offer much information about your photos, to begin with, so you might have to install a third-party app.
The first method to view the metadata of a photo on your iPhone is with the Files app. It’s a built-in folder that’s located somewhere on your home screen. Here’s what you need to do:
- Open the Photos app and find the photo you want to view the metadata for.
- Tap on the photo and go to the share icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
- Choose “Save to Files.”
- Choose the folder where your photo will be saved.
- Tap on “Save.”
- Go to the Files folder on your home screen.
- Find the photo you’ve just saved there.
- Long-press on the photo until a pop-up menu appears.
- Tap on “Info.”
You’ll see some information about the photo here, including the type and size of the photo, date of creation, when it was last opened, etc. To access even more information, tap on the “Show More” option on the right side of the screen. Using this option, you’ll have access to more details like the photo’s dimensions, the color profile, and the resolution.
Note: This method only works for iOS 13 and iPadOS.
Since Apple only offers limited metadata of a photo, another option you have is to install a third-party app. Some apps you can use include Photo Investigator, Exif Metadata, Metadata Remover, Metapho, and HashPhotos. All of these apps are free, but in-app purchases may apply. Not only can you use them to view the metadata of a photo, but to edit and remove the metadata as well.
How to View the Metadata of a Photo on an Android Device
To view the metadata of a photo on an Android, we’ll be using Google Photos. Check out the steps below to get started:
- Open Google Photos.
- Find the photo you want to view the metadata for and tap on it.
- Tap on the three dots in the upper-right corner of your screen.
- Go down to “Details.”
You can see basic information like phototype, as well as its dimensions, size, and resolution. Information about the camera will be provided here as well. Above the “Details” section, you can see the exact date and time the photo was taken.
While you can view the metadata on a photo on Google Photos, you can’t edit or remove it. For more advanced actions like editing and removal, you’ll need to install a third-party app. Photo Investigator, Metadata Remover, Metapho, Exif Metadata, and HashPhotos are all popular options.
How to View the Metadata of a Photo on a Mac
If you’re on a Mac, you can use the Finder app to view the metadata of a photo. Locate the image you want more information on and follow the steps below to view the metadata:
- Right-click on the photo.
- Select “Get Info” from the drop-down menu.
- This will open the Info tab.
Here, you’ll be able to see general information about the photo, such as its location, size, type of photo, and more. Under “More Info,” you can see when it was last opened, its dimensions, camera settings, the type and model of the camera, and similar.
Another way to view the metadata of a photo on your Mac is with the Preview app. This is how it’s done:
- Locate the photo.
- Right-click on the photo.
- Choose “Open With” and then “Preview.”
- Click on the “Tools” option on the top menu.
- Select “Show Inspector.”
- Proceed to the Info tab by clicking on the “i” icon.
The Preview app allows you to see more metadata of a photo. Color space, exposure time, flash, and focal length are just some of the details you’ll be able to view.
How to View the Metadata of a Photo on a Windows PC
To view the metadata of a photo on your Windows, you won’t be needing an app or a program. Follow the steps below to find out how it’s done:
- Find the photo and right-click on it.
- Choose “Properties” at the bottom of the pop-up menu.
- Click on the “Details” tab.
That’s all there is to it. In the Properties tab, you can see the photo’s description, origin, image ID, camera settings, and advanced options. You can also see the date the photo was taken, its dimensions, compression, resolution unit, copyright information, and more.
How to View the Metadata of a Photo on a Chromebook
To view the metadata of a photo on your Chromebook, you can use a Google Chrome extension called EXIF Viewer Pro. This extension is completely free, and you can use it to view the metadata of any photo you want.
Keep in mind that the picture has to be uploaded or already online for this to work. One of the easiest ways to do this is to upload the picture on Google Drive or Google Photos. Here’s what you need to do next:
- Right-click on the photo.
- Choose “Show EXIF data.”
A new panel will appear on the right side of your screen. The metadata of that photo will be available here. You can also auto-copy the metadata to your clipboard.
Additional FAQs
What information is viewable in the metadata of a photo?
A photo’s metadata, or EXIF data, refers to a collection of different types of descriptive information. Basic EXIF data includes the photo’s dimensions, size, and location. The time and date the photo was taken are also typically included in the metadata of a photo.
Apart from the photo’s characteristics, you can also see the copyright information, camera settings, the resolution, the author, the type and model of the camera, and much more. For professional photographers, access to a photo’s metadata is especially important. They need to be able to view details like ISO speed, focal length, aperture, location, white balance, shutter speed, and the type of lens.
Can I edit the metadata of a photo?
It’s possible to edit the metadata of a photo. However, it depends on the type of device you’re using to view the photo. Most third-party apps allow you to both edit and remove the metadata of a photo.
If you’re wondering why you would need to edit a photo’s metadata, there are a few reasons. Sometimes mistakes happen when metadata is processed and you may need to change certain details. You also might want to hide certain parameters or information about a photo before you post it online.
If you want to edit a photo’s metadata on Windows, this is how it’s done:
1. Right-click on the photo.
2. Select “Properties” from the drop-down menu.
3. Proceed to “Details.”
4. Find the field that you want to edit.
5. Under the “Value” section, edit the information.
For other types of devices, you’ll probably need a third-party app to edit the metadata.
Keep in mind that not all metadata can be edited. For example, you can’t change the photo’s resolution or dimensions this way. Usually, you can only edit basic information like the name of the file, the date, the author, etc.
Can I remove the metadata of a photo?
You can also remove the metadata from photos. This is mainly done for privacy purposes. People usually want to remove information about the photo’s location before they post it online. If you want to remove the metadata from a photo on Windows or Mac, you don’t need any third-party app to do this.
For Windows, simply go to the Properties window, and select “Remove Properties and Personal Information” at the bottom of the tab. On your Mac, you’ll only be able to hide the photo’s location. To do this, open the image and click on the “i” icon in the upper-right corner of your screen. Select “Image,” and then “Location,” followed by “Hide Location.”
To do more, you will need to install a third-party app. You can use ImageOptim or Imgur to both edit and remove metadata.
One Photo, a Thousand Words
Once you’ve figured out how to view the metadata of a photo, you’ll be able to find out when and where that photo was made. However, while the most basic information is available with a few button pushes, to find more advanced metadata, you may need to install a third-party app.
Have you ever tried to find the metadata of a photo before? Did you use any of the methods explained in this guide? Let us know in the comments section below.
FAQs
Can you see the metadata of pictures from a phone? ›
Swipe up on the photo or tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner. You'll see the photo's EXIF data displayed in a nice, readable format that includes the following data: Date and time taken. Image name, size, and resolution.
How do I view metadata on my computer? ›- Open the image for which you want to check the metadata.
- Head to the File menu, then click File info. And you can also press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + I on Windows and Command + Option + Shift + I on Mac.
- From here, you can copy or edit the metadata.
- Click OK to save your changes.
On a Windows PC using File Explorer right-click on the file you want to see the data for. You will see a window pop up with various options. Click on Properties and then on Details. This will bring up the EXIF data for that photo.
Which tool could help you view metadata of pictures? ›1. Metapicz. What it is: Metapicz is a browser-based photo metadata viewer that exists solely to give users a chance to see metadata. Advantages: The interface is simple, with literally nothing other than the bare basics of finding metadata of images on the page.
How can I see the metadata of a picture online? ›- Right click on an image.
- Select "Save Image As"
- Open image on your desktop.
- On a Mac: Under "Tools", select "Show Inspector"; On a PC, right-click the file, select "Properties" > "Details"
- You will see some stored information about the image.
To open and view Windows File Explorer, press the Win + E keyboard shortcut. Bring up the Pictures folder or whatever directory includes your photos. Right-click a photo to view EXIF data and select Properties. Click Details on the file's properties window.
How can I find details of a photo? ›If you have an image and you're unable to identify details regarding copyright (such as the creator, the title or source), you can try a reverse image search using Google Images to locate the citation and source information for the image. Open Google Images and click on the camera icon.
How do I find the location data of a picture? ›To find an image's exif data, right-click the photo and select either “properties” or “information”. If the GPS coordinates appear, simply type them into Google Maps to find the location.
Do all images have EXIF data? ›Do all photos have EXIF data? Unless it's been removed, most digital photos have EXIF data. Even photos and videos taken with a smartphone will have some EXIF information — though it's usually not as detailed as the metadata stored in a digital camera.
Does JPEG have EXIF data? ›The exchangeable image file format (EXIF) is a standard for embedding technical metadata in image files that many camera manufacturers use and many image-processing programs support. EXIF metadata can be embedded in TIFF and JPEG images.
What app can read metadata? ›
Exif Metadata lets you quickly and easily view, edit, and remove metadata, including GPS location, from your iPhone and iPad photos. It is a must-have tool for serious photographers and casual iPhoneographers alike.
What website can I use to extract metadata? ›Metadata2Go.com is a free online tool that allows you to access the hidden exif & meta data of your files. Just drag & drop or upload an image, document, video, audio or even e-book file. We will show you all metadata hidden inside the file!
Where is image metadata stored? ›Metadata is stored in two main places: Internally – embedded in the image file, in formats such as JPEG, DNG, PNG, TIFF … Externally – outside the image file in a digital asset management system (DAM) or in a “sidecar” file (such as for XMP data) or an external news exchange format document as specified by the IPTC.
How do I see metadata in chrome photos? ›Quick access to EXIF data of any image you view in Google Chrome. Just right-click on any image on the web contains EXIF data and you will see the dialog with EXIF properties of related image.
Can you recover photo metadata? ›Use File Explorer to use EXIF metadata for restoring photos after data recovery. Windows have a default File Explorer as a file manager, which is used for managing and viewing files, folders, partitions, etc. File Explorer can help to display EXIF metadata along with the file name on your computer.
Do all digital photos have metadata? ›Metadata is data about data. Every single digital artifact has it. It describes the who, what, when, where, how, and sometimes even, why, for any document, video, photo, or sound clip. This information comes in handy sometimes, like when you're flipping through old pictures by date, or by location.
How do I view metadata in Windows Media Player? ›Editing Metadata
Find a media file with incorrect details or cover art. Right-click on the title and select Find album info. This will bring up the Find album information window. Here you'll see the existing information that Windows Media Player interpreted as correct on the left side.
Metadata can be stored in a variety of places. Where the metadata relates to databases, the data is often stored in tables and fields within the database. Sometimes the metadata exists in a specialist document or database designed to store such data, called a data dictionary or metadata repository.
Where is Windows file metadata stored? ›The majority of file system metadata in NTFS resides within the internal files (e.g., $MFT, $Secure), which leads to them, not surprisingly, also being called NTFS metadata files.
Does Microsoft have a photo viewer? ›To check, press and hold (or right-click) a photo in File Explorer, and select Open with. If Windows Photo Viewer isn't in the list, you cannot install it on Windows 10. The Photos app in Windows 10 does the same things Photo Viewer did, and more.. Press Ctrl + the mouse wheel to zoom in or out.
Does Windows 10 have Picture Manager? ›
Windows 11 and Windows 10 have an app named Photos, a successor to Picture Manager, that lets you edit photos. For information on how to open and use it, see Edit photos and videos.
How do I find photo properties in Windows 10? ›On a PC (Windows 10):
Open Windows Explorer and find the image you want to check. The dimensions and file size appear in the right-hand details pane. If you do not see this, click the View ribbon tab and then Details Pane: You can also right-click on an image & choose properties from the drop-down menu.
Use Google Reverse Image Search or TinEye to help verify what you're seeing online.
Is there an app that can identify pictures? ›The Google Lens App is a powerful image recognition tool that allows users to search for information about objects captured in photos. The app can identify landmarks, plants, and animals and provide information about products and businesses.
Can you see photo metadata on iPhone? ›Locate and long-press the saved photo to invoke the contextual menu. Here tap info from the menu. On the Information page, tap Show More and scroll down to see detailed metadata. Once satisfied, tap Done.
What does phone metadata reveal? ›A phone's metadata describes key facts about an individual data file such as phone calls, photographs, texts, etc. With this data, you might reveal habits, activities and interests, or even uncover a lie. For example, metadata from a phone might show you: Location and time a user accessed certain online accounts.
How do I access metadata on my phone? ›You don't need access to any special apps. The gallery app of your phone or Google Photos can show the most important bits from the Exif data of your photos. To view the metadata, open the Gallery app on your phone and browse the photo whose data you want to view. Navigate to the menu and select Details.
Can I see photo details on iPhone? ›After the photo has been saved, you will need to head over to the Files app. Open the app, and navigate to the folder that you saved the picture too. Once you have located the photo, perform a Force Touch and press down on the picture until the menu appears. Then, you will want to look for “Info” and tap that option.
How do I find details of a photo? ›...
Get information about an image
- On your Android phone or tablet, go to images.google.com or open the Google app .
- Search for an image.
- Tap the image to get a larger version.
View An Image's Exif/Metadata
There are a number of Exif viewing apps on the market, but the best one that I've found is ViewExif. This is actually an iOS extension as opposed to a stand-alone app. What that means is that it allows for the viewing of Exif data from other existing apps, including the native Camera Roll.
How do I download metadata from iPhone photos? ›
To export properly from photos you need to use file>export or file>export unmodified original. The first will add keywords and other metadata added in photos. The second won't, but can include them in a separated "side car" file with the option "export IPTC as XMP" selected.
Does texting a photo remove metadata? ›> What you are calling SMS picture messages are actually MMS messages. > photos are compressed and the EXIF data is lost.
Is metadata hidden? ›Metadata is the hidden data that accompanies every image, video, and file you encounter. It helps you organize and manage data sets, but can also pose privacy and security risks if left unchecked.
Can metadata be tracked? ›The Subtle Way You're Being Tracked. Metadata allows users to find your digital information. The pieces of data attached to the links, photos, videos, or other files you click on will reveal information about you.