How to remove location from photos on iPhone
Photos taken with the iPhone camera usually store the exact spot where they were taken. Anyone who gets the original file can see it on a map. Here’s how to check a photo, remove the location before you share, and stop it being saved at all.
By the BlurTap team · Updated
Short answer: select the photo in Photos, tap Share, tap Options at the top of the share sheet, turn off Location, then share. That removes the location from the copy you send. To remove it from the photo itself, swipe up on it, tap Adjust next to the map and choose No Location.
Why it matters
A photo’s GPS tag is usually accurate to a few metres. Posted from home, it is effectively your street address. Typical ways it leaks: a Marketplace or forum listing that keeps the original file, a photo emailed or AirDropped to someone you don’t know well, a shared iCloud link, or a dating-app or blog upload that doesn’t clean images.
How to check if a photo has a location
- Open the photo in Photos.
- Swipe up on it, or tap the ⓘ button.
- If there’s a map with a pin, the photo has a location. The text above it names the place.
On a computer, use our free photo location checker. It shows the exact coordinates, date and camera stored in the file, without uploading it.
Method 1: Remove location when you share
- Open the photo (or select several) and tap Share.
- At the top of the share sheet, under the preview, tap Options.
- Turn off Location and tap Done.
- Pick where to send it: Messages, Mail, AirDrop, or an app.
Good for: one-off shares. Catch: the switch resets every time, and it only applies when you share from the share sheet. Uploading through a website’s file picker or an app’s own gallery doesn’t show it.
Method 2: Remove location from the photo itself
- Open the photo and swipe up (or tap ⓘ).
- Tap Adjust next to the map.
- Tap No Location.
The photo no longer carries a location wherever you share it from. You can add one back later with the same Adjust button.
Method 3: Remove location from many photos at once
- In Photos, tap Select and choose the photos.
- Tap the ••• (More) button.
- Tap Adjust Location, then No Location.
If you’re also blurring faces or plates in those photos, BlurTap does both in one pass and leaves your originals untouched.
Method 4: Stop the Camera saving location
- Open Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services.
- Scroll down and tap Camera.
- Choose Never.
New photos and videos won’t be tagged. Photos you already took keep their location. A middle ground is to keep While Using but turn off Precise Location, which records only an approximate area.
Which method to use
| Method | Removes from | Lasts | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share → Options → Location off | The copy you send | One share | Occasional sharing |
| ⓘ → Adjust → No Location | The photo in your library | Permanent | A photo you’ll post in several places |
| Select → ••• → Adjust Location | Many photos in your library | Permanent | Listings, albums |
| Settings → Camera → Never | Future photos | Until you change it | Maximum privacy |
| BlurTap | A new copy, plus blurs faces, plates, text | Permanent copy | Photos you’ll post publicly |
What else gives away where you are
Removing GPS data doesn’t hide what’s in the picture. Before posting, check for house numbers, street signs, license plates, school uniforms, parcel labels and the view from your window. See what to blur before posting for a platform-by-platform checklist.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my iPhone photo has a location?
Open the photo in Photos and swipe up, or tap ⓘ. If you see a map with a pin, the photo stores the GPS coordinates of where it was taken. No map means no location. You can also drop the photo into our online location checker.
Does turning off Location in the share sheet stay off?
No. The Options → Location switch applies to that one share only. Next time you share, it’s back on. To remove the location for good, use Adjust → No Location in the photo’s info panel, or stop the Camera from recording it.
Do screenshots contain location data?
No. iPhone screenshots aren’t tagged with GPS coordinates. They can still show your location in what’s on the screen, though: maps, addresses, weather widgets, delivery apps.
Do videos store location too?
Yes. Videos recorded with the Camera app store the location in their metadata, just like photos. The same share-sheet switch and No Location option work for videos.
Does WhatsApp or Instagram remove location from photos?
The big social apps generally strip embedded location from the images other people see. But Mail, AirDrop, iCloud links, file-sharing apps and many websites pass the original file along. Don’t rely on the app at the other end. Remove the location before you send.
Will removing location delete the photo from Memories or the Places map?
Photos you set to No Location disappear from the Places map in your library and can’t be grouped by place in Memories. If you want to keep that for yourself, leave the library as it is and turn off location only when sharing.