What is EXIF data in a photo?
In one sentence: The hidden notes a camera or phone writes inside a photo: date, camera, which way up, and sometimes the GPS location.
A little more
EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) is the standard list of photo metadata that cameras and phones write into JPEG and HEIC files: the date and time, the camera model, exposure settings, which way up the phone was held, and, if location is switched on, the exact GPS spot.
The orientation tag is why a photo can look the right way up on your phone but sideways on a website that ignores it. The GPS tag is why a picture of your front door can reveal your street. Both can be read or removed with ordinary tools, and removing EXIF does not change the picture itself.
See it in action
- 9How does a map know where you are?Find a hidden phone using nothing but satellite clocks: listen to each satellite, draw its ring and watch the rings meet.7 min · interactive
- BonusI changed who can open my link. Does the old link still work?Check a picture and its audience before you share it, then be the guard at the door: pretend visitors with badges and forwarded links, a fresh check on every visit, badges taken away, a link replaced, and a saved copy that no website can snatch back.7 min · interactive
Do it for real
Free grown-up tools and guides on Tooltern, our sister site. They work in your browser and nothing is uploaded.