How to remove metadata before sharing files on WhatsApp

¿How to remove metadata before sharing files on WhatsApp? Before forwarding a photo or document via WhatsApp, it's a good idea to consider the "invisible layer" that travels with that file: the metadata. This trace can include location, authorship, software used, or internal system paths, and it ends up revealing more about you and your organization than you'd like.

The good news is that cleaning them is easy if you know where to touch and which tool to choose for each case.From built-in features on Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS, to specialized utilities for PDFs, images, and office suites. Below, you'll find a comprehensive guide that compiles the most effective methods and recommendations, with a special focus on sending via WhatsApp.

What is metadata and why does it matter?

Metadata is data that describes other data.: They aren't part of the visible content, but they explain, organize, and contextualize it. They've existed since the mid-20th century, and today they're present in virtually all formats: photos, videos, office documents, PDFs, audio tracks, and more.

In photographs they materialize as EXIF, IPTC or XMP and may include, but are not limited to: GPS coordinates, exact date and time, camera or phone model and serial number, technical parameters (aperture, ISO, speed), size and resolution, file name, and, if editing occurred, what program was used.

In office documents (Word, Excel, PowerPoint or LibreOffice), metadata typically includes authorship, organization, internal folder paths, editing history or keywords.In addition to authorship and software, PDFs can also contain comments, tags, and technical descriptors.

They are useful for sorting and searching, but they pose a privacy and security risk.Anyone who receives the file can find out where and when a photo was taken, profile routines, identify devices, or extract internal company information. Due to obligations such as GDPR or the ENS, and for pure digital hygiene, it's a good idea to delete them before sharing.

What happens when sharing on WhatsApp, social networks and other apps?

WhatsApp and Signal hide EXIF metadata of images from other users after uploading., which reduces direct exposure, although that data may still exist internally on their servers for operational purposes. On WhatsApp, even with single-view photos, some information may still be transferred in the upstream flow.

Telegram allows you to choose: If you send compressed photos as media, hide EXIF; if you send them uncompressed (as a file), preserves metadata. It's a key detail if you're looking for real privacy when sharing.

On social networks, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Instagram often hide metadata from other users., although they can store them internally. Flickr, VK, Foursquare and Pinterest can expose you under certain conditions: for example, it has been observed that on Foursquare and Pinterest photos uploaded from the web retain EXIF, while on the mobile app they are hidden, probably due to client-side conversion.

It is advisable to clean metadata at the source if privacy is a priority, especially before sending it via WhatsApp as a file or when posting to services that do not automatically delete it..

How to quickly view and analyze metadata

Reviewing information before deleting helps you decide what to keep and what to delete.These are simple options on mobile and desktop:

• Google Photos (Android): Open the photo, swipe up or tap the three dots to see details (model, date/time, resolution, and, if applicable, map location).
• Galleries with EXIF view- Many native or third-party apps display EXIF in the image's 'Info', although they don't always allow editing.
• Windows: Right-click on the file > Properties > 'Details' tab to view available fields.

If you detect sensitive data (such as internal routes or your location), it is essential to clean the metadata before sharing.This guide teaches you how to do this on each platform.

Methods to remove metadata based on your device

Android

Google Photos lets you remove the location of an image in seconds: Open the photo, swipe up, and use the 'Remove Location' option. This protects the GPS location, but doesn't erase all EXIF fields.

Scrambled EXIF is an open source app for Android that removes metadata from one or more photos very simply, with control over which fields to touch, and you can even rename to hide dates in the name.

Photo Exif Editor offers EXIF, IPTC and XMP editing and deletion with batch processingIt's a powerful option if you want to clean everything or just specific fields while maintaining quality.

ExifTool for Android It is an advanced alternative that allows in-depth editing metadata not only for images, but also for audio, video, and supported documents.

Native functions according to the manufacturer: In Xiaomi (MIUI) you can activate 'Secure Share' in Gallery > Settings > Send, to share without metadata or locationOn Huawei (EMUI), when sharing from the gallery, use 'Privacy Options' to clear the sharing settings before sending. Other manufacturers are incorporating similar settings; look in the sharing or privacy section of the gallery app.

iOS and iPadOS

The Photos app allows you to adjust some of the information from the 'Info' button, although it doesn't erase all EXIF data. For added privacy, use a dedicated app like Remove Metadata from Photos o Exif Metadata for clear or edit fields before sharing on WhatsApp.

Windows (photos, documents, and PDFs)

Remove properties from Explorer: Right click on the file > Properties > Details tab > 'Remove properties and personal information'. You can create a copy without metadata or selectively remove fields from the original.

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)Use the Document inspection In File > Info > 'Check for Problems' > 'Inspect Document', select 'Document Properties and Personal Information' and click 'Remove everything' to clean up authorship and embedded data.

LibreOffice: In Tools > Options > Security > Options, check 'Delete personal information on save'. You can also go to File > Properties > General tab and Restore, unchecking 'Use user data'.

PDF (Adobe Acrobat Pro): From Document Properties you can clear authorship and descriptor fields; In addition, the cleaning tools allow you to remove metadata and hidden content that is not visible to the naked eye.

ExifTool on Windows For images, PDF and other formats: After downloading the official package and locating it (for example, in C:\Windows), open 'Command Prompt', navigate to the executable directory and run exiftool -all= «path\to\file.ext» for remove all metadata. It also supports batch cleaning and fine filters.

macOS

Preview allows you to remove the GPS location information: Open the image, press 'Info' (⌘+i), go to the 'GPS' tab and use the option to delete the location.

For fields beyond GPS (or for documents), use utilities such as ImageOptim for images or a ExifTool if you need full control over multiple formats and bulk editing.

Linux

ExifTool is available on most distributions and allows you to clear EXIF, IPTC, XMP and other metadata with the same syntax: exiftool -all= file.extIt's ideal for automating pre-publishing scripts and workflows.

Online Tools: When to Use Them (and When Not to)

Web solutions are fast and installation-free, but they involve uploading files to a third party. If they contain sensitive information, it is best to avoid this path unless you fully trust the service and its privacy policy.

Featured Online Options

MetaClean (from a Spanish cybersecurity company) allows view and delete metadata of images, videos, PDF, DOCX, MP3 and more. 5 MB limit per file in the free version.

PDFYeah It is a web suite for PDF with a specific module for delete metadata. Unlike MetaClean, supports files up to 50 MB, useful for large PDFs.

MetaCleaner It is a professional service with Encryption, focus on privacy and GDPR compliance, capable of cleaning more than 40 formats directly on the web. On the free plan You can process up to 20 files per day with a limit of 5 MB per file (paid plans from approx. $5,95 to expand).

Security Recommendation (INCIBE): Although there are many pages to delete metadata, Avoid them if the document includes sensitive dataYou upload the information to a third party and can't always verify its processing. It's better to use local tools.

If, aside from all this, you'd like to continue learning how to remove metadata from any platform, here's a guide article: How to remove metadata in Google Drive.

Professional desktop applications

If you work with large volumes or need batch processes, the desktop is more efficient. that web tools and avoid uploading material to third-party services.

Metadata++ (Windows)

Metadata++ allows edit and delete metadata in images, audio, video and texts with mass processing. It is free software (not open source) with all features available at no cost.

Metadata Touch (Windows)

Metadata Touch supports more than 30 formats (Microsoft Office, OpenDocument, images, audio and video, including vectors and compressed audio) and is oriented to batch editing/deleting. Compatible with Windows XP/2003 SP and later versions.

MetaAni for public administrations

MetaAni It is a desktop tool created by ANIMSA for suppress sensitive metadata in administrative documents before publishing, notifying or sending them, aligned with the National Security Scheme (ENS).

Works with predefined templates (non-modifiable by the user) that determine what to keep, replace or delete, and supports spot or mass cleaning dragging folders or complete paths. A mention is made progressive implementation (initially planned for entities adhering to a Security Office and expandable later), with agile management that does not require extensive training.

Practical tips to minimize leaks

Blurs or censors identifying elements (faces, license plates, addresses) before sharing. Many editing apps allow you to remove metadata and apply blur in a single stream.

Disable geolocation on the camera if you don't need it: this way you avoid photos including the original GPS.

Check app permissions: Limit location access to only when essential.

Evaluate privacy-oriented apps and services (e.g., messengers that strip out or don't expose EXIF). Depending on the case, it may be wiser to share compressed images to avoid persistent metadata.

Control backups- If you delete metadata from a copy, please ensure that the original version with EXIF is not uploaded to the cloud without your knowledge.

Helpful Notes and Support

If you work in business or administrationIntegrating metadata cleansing as a mandatory step before publishing or submitting documents reduces the attack surface and helps comply with regulations such as the GDPR or the ENS. It is included as a formal recommendation in some public guides (see updates as of 03/12/2024 in reference documents).

In case of doubts or incidents, in Spain you can resort to the Cybersecurity Helpline 017, already the messaging channels of WhatsApp (900 116 117) y Telegram (@INCIBE017), in addition to the official contact form, where professionals will answer questions related to the safe use of technology.

Adopting the habit of cleaning metadata before sharing on WhatsApp or other platforms prevents you from revealing too much.With native features, mobile apps, desktop utilities, and a few well-chosen online options, you can protect your privacy without sacrificing time or quality with your files. We hope you've learned how to how to remove metadata before sharing files on WhatsApp.