Remove Photo Metadata Before Sharing — Export a Clean PNG
Last reviewed: August 28, 2026
A photo can reveal information outside its pixels
Photos can carry file metadata, often called EXIF, in addition to what is visible on screen. Depending on the original file and device, this can include camera details, creation time, orientation, and sometimes location information. Removing metadata does not hide a face, address, license plate, or document number that is visibly present in the image. Review both kinds of information before sharing.
PrivaCanvas makes a new PNG in your browser when you download. It does not copy the original image's EXIF metadata into that export. Your original file stays unchanged on your device.
How to export a clean PNG
- Open the PrivaCanvas editor and choose a JPG, PNG, or WebP image.
- If the image has visible private details, draw masks over them first. Use Blackout for exact identifiers such as addresses, account numbers, or credentials.
- Select Download PNG. A new file is rendered in your browser; it does not preserve the source photo's EXIF metadata.
- Inspect the downloaded file before sharing. Check the visible image as well as the filename, caption, post text, and any separate attachments.
You can export a new PNG even when there are no masks. If visible content is sensitive, metadata removal alone is not enough.
What this does and does not remove
| Item | What PrivaCanvas does |
|---|---|
| Source EXIF metadata | Does not copy it into the newly rendered PNG. |
| Drawn masks | Renders them into the exported pixels. |
| Visible faces, plates, text, or addresses | Leaves them visible unless you manually mask them. |
| Information outside the file | Cannot change captions, filenames, links, or what was already shared. |
This page describes the export behavior of the current editor. It is not a forensic metadata inspection service and does not claim that every possible source of identifying information has been removed.
Pair file hygiene with visual redaction
For a photo with faces, use blur faces in photos to create local face masks and review them. For screenshots, use redact screenshots online to cover API keys, messages, addresses, and other visible details. A newly exported PNG is useful only after the image itself is safe to show.
Questions
Does this change my original photo?
No. PrivaCanvas reads the selected image in your browser and creates a separate PNG download. The original stays where it was on your device.
Does it upload the photo to remove metadata?
No. The conversion and any redaction happen in your browser. PrivaCanvas has no image-upload endpoint for the editor.
Is a clean PNG automatically anonymous?
No. Metadata is only one possible source of information. Review what remains visible in the image and add masks where needed.