How to Turn Off Location Tracking in Your Photos
Did you know that when you take a photo on your smartphone, your phone may store the exact location where it was taken — down to the GPS coordinates? This hidden data is called location metadata, and it’s automatically saved with most digital photos unless you tell your phone not to. While this feature can be helpful for organizing your pictures or remembering where a moment took place, it can also present serious privacy concerns — especially if you’re sharing photos online or with people you don’t know well.
At TechPals, many of the people we help have no idea this is happening in the background. They assume a photo is just a photo — but there’s often more information attached than meets the eye. Fortunately, it’s easy to take control of this setting once you know where to look. This guide will walk you through what location metadata is, how to find it, how to turn it off, and how to remove it from your old photos — whether you’re using an iPhone or Android.
Let’s break it all down.
What Is Location Metadata?
Location metadata is a type of EXIF data (short for Exchangeable Image File Format) — essentially, extra information that your phone or digital camera adds to every picture you take. This data can include the time and date, the device used, camera settings like exposure and shutter speed, and yes — even the exact location where the photo was taken, typically captured via GPS.
If you’ve ever scrolled through your phone’s photo app and seen your photos automatically grouped by location — like “New York City, July 2023” — that’s location metadata at work. It’s a powerful feature, but also one that can quietly expose private details you may not want to share.
Why Does Your Phone Save Location Info?
There are a few reasons:
Organization: Your photo app may use this info to sort images by city, state, or even neighborhood.
Search: You can search for “beach” or “Boston” and your phone may show photos taken in those places.
Third-party apps: Some apps (like Google Maps or journaling apps) can use photo location to offer more personalized features.
These features can be genuinely useful — but they’re not always necessary, and they can quickly become a privacy liability if you don’t know they’re there.
The Risks of Sharing Location Metadata
Here are just a few examples of why people come to TechPals for help disabling this setting:
Posting online: Sharing a cute pet photo on social media? If it includes location data, someone could potentially trace it back to your home address.
Selling items: Uploading a picture to a classifieds site like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace? You might be revealing your exact home location without realizing it.
Sharing with new people: Sending vacation pictures to someone you just met? You might accidentally be telling them exactly where you’ve been.
Once you understand that this info is there, it’s easy to see why so many people choose to disable or remove it.
How to Turn Off Location Metadata on iPhone
If you use an iPhone, you can stop photos from saving location data in just a few taps.
To stop saving location info going forward:
Open Settings.
Scroll down and tap Privacy & Security.
Tap Location Services.
Scroll to Camera.
Tap Never to completely disable location tracking, or While Using the App to only allow it while you're actively taking photos.
Optionally, toggle Precise Location off to only allow a general area instead of an exact spot.
This setting only affects new photos. Existing photos will still have their location data unless you remove it.
To remove location from a photo you’ve already taken:
Open the Photos app.
Tap on a photo.
Swipe up or tap the (i) icon to view photo details.
If a map or address appears, tap Adjust or Remove Location.
Repeat for other photos if needed.
How to Turn Off Location Metadata on Android
The process can vary slightly depending on your phone manufacturer, but most Android devices follow a similar approach.
To stop saving location info for future photos:
Open your Camera app.
Tap the gear icon (⚙️) for settings.
Find a setting called Save Location, Location Tags, or something similar.
Toggle it off.
Once disabled, new photos will no longer include GPS coordinates in the file.
To remove location metadata from an existing photo:
Open Google Photos (or your main photo app).
Tap a photo.
Tap the three-dot menu in the top right.
Scroll to Edit Location or Remove Location, then tap to delete the data.
Note: If you don’t see this option, try updating the app or using Google Photos on desktop, which sometimes has more robust editing features.
How to Check If a Photo Has Location Metadata
Not sure if your photo includes this kind of info?
On iPhone:
Open the Photos app.
Tap on a photo.
Swipe up — if you see a map with a location pin, the photo has saved location data.
On Android:
Open the photo in Google Photos.
Tap the three-dot menu.
Look for a Location field. If it’s there, that data is stored in the file.
Still not sure? You can always email the photo to yourself, download it to a computer, and check the file’s properties to view hidden metadata.
Can I Remove Location Data from Multiple Photos at Once?
Yes — but it depends on the device and app.
On iPhone: You can select multiple photos in the Photos app, then tap the share icon → Options → toggle Location off before sending or sharing. This doesn’t permanently remove the data, but ensures it’s not shared with the recipient.
On Google Photos (desktop): You can select a batch of photos and choose Edit Location → Remove Location.
For more advanced batch editing (especially for older photos), desktop tools or third-party apps may be helpful. At TechPals, we’re happy to walk you through your options.
What Happens If You Upload to Social Media?
Some sites strip metadata automatically:
Facebook and Instagram: These platforms remove location metadata from images when you upload.
Twitter and LinkedIn: Usually strip metadata, but this isn’t guaranteed.
Google Drive or Dropbox: Do not remove metadata — if you share a file, the location info stays.
So while posting to Facebook might be safe, texting a photo or uploading it to a shared drive could still include hidden GPS data. It’s always smart to check.
Should You Turn Off Location Metadata?
It depends on how you use your phone.
Reasons to turn it off:
You frequently share or text photos.
You’re concerned about personal privacy.
You’re helping a family member manage their settings safely.
Reasons to keep it on:
You travel a lot and like organizing photos by location.
You use secure private storage (like iCloud or Google Photos) just for yourself.
You never share your photos and prefer the extra information.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — just your own comfort level. At TechPals, we believe in helping you understand your settings so you can decide what works best.
FAQs from TechPals Users
Can someone really see my home address from a photo?
If the location metadata includes exact GPS coordinates, and the photo was taken at your house, then yes — someone could potentially identify your home address using simple tools.
What if I already shared a photo with location data?
Once shared, that information can’t be “unshared.” If you’re worried, take down the photo and consider adjusting your settings for future photos.
Does turning off camera location affect Maps or other apps?
No — this only affects the Camera app. Maps, Weather, and other apps will still use location services unless you turn them off separately.
Can I tell if someone took a screenshot of my text message?
Not usually. Most messaging apps, like iMessage and SMS, don’t notify you when someone takes a screenshot. Only a few apps, like Snapchat, offer that feature.
Is it bad to use the same password on more than one website?
Yes — if one site gets hacked, scammers can try the same password elsewhere. It’s best to use a different password for each account, even if it’s just a small variation.
What happens if I tap a spam pop-up by accident?
If you didn’t enter any information, you're probably fine. Close the page, clear your browser history, and don’t click on it again. If you did enter details, reach out to TechPals for help.
How do I know if a QR code is safe?
You can’t tell just by looking. It’s safest to use your phone’s built-in camera, preview the link before opening it, and avoid scanning codes from random flyers or emails.
Can someone track my location from an email I opened?
Yes — some emails contain tracking pixels that log when and where you opened them. You can block this by turning off “load remote images” in your email settings.
Is it safe to charge my phone using a public USB port?
It’s safer to plug into an outlet. Some public USB ports can be tampered with (“juice jacking”), which might allow data theft. Using a “charge-only” cable or your own adapter is a better option.
Why do websites ask me to 'accept cookies'?
Cookies store your preferences and login status, but they can also track your activity. You can usually decline “marketing” cookies without affecting basic website functions.
Can scammers really spoof a friend’s phone number?
Yes — scammers can make it look like a call or text is coming from someone you know. If something seems off, hang up or don’t reply, and call the person back directly to confirm.
Is it okay to give my birthdate when signing up for something?
If it’s not required, skip it. Your birthdate is a piece of personal data that could help someone steal your identity, especially when combined with other info.
Why does my smart TV show ads based on what I talk about?
Smart TVs often track what you watch, and some models have voice assistants always listening. It’s not usually from your conversations — it’s from your viewing and app usage.
Final Thoughts from TechPals
The idea that your photos might be sharing more than you intended can feel overwhelming at first. But once you understand the basics of location metadata — what it is, how it works, and how to control it — the solution is surprisingly simple.
Need help double-checking your settings or removing location info from a batch of older pictures? We’re here for that. Whether you’re just getting started or you want to clean up years of photo history, TechPals can guide you step by step.
Visit techpals.org to schedule a quick session or get help right away. We make tech less stressful — and a lot more secure.
Want peace of mind before your next family photo session or vacation? Visit techpals.org and let us help you set it up right. You deserve to share your memories, not your location.
