How to Remove Exif Metadata from Photos on macOS

A screenshot of Kompressor for macOS that shows how to remove EXIF data from images

Steps

  1. Download Kompressor on the Mac App Store for free
  2. Open the Kompressor app
  3. Drag and drop your image(s) into Kompressor
  4. Select JPEG or HEIC as your output format
  5. Adjust compression settings as needed
  6. In the Metadata section select Remove
  7. Click on the (play) button to convert your HEIC image(s) offline

Why Should I Remove Exif Data from Photos?

People choose to remove EXIF metadata from their photos for various reasons:

  • Privacy Protection — EXIF data can include precise GPS coordinates showing exactly where a photo was taken
  • Personal Security — Removing location data prevents strangers from knowing your home location or frequently visited places
  • Prevent Data Mining — Social media platforms and other services can extract EXIF data for targeted advertising
  • Reduce File Size — Stripping metadata can slightly reduce file sizes, helpful when uploading multiple images
  • Professional Presentation — When sharing portfolio work, removing camera settings creates a cleaner presentation
  • Anonymity — For whistleblowers or those in sensitive situations, EXIF data could reveal identity information
  • Prevent Copyright Theft — Some photographers remove metadata before sharing preview images to prevent unauthorized use
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