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    HEIC / HEIF

    HEIC Metadata Viewer: See the Location in iPhone Photos

    Drop a .heic photo to see its GPS location on a map, plus the date, camera and other EXIF fields. It is read in your browser, so the photo never leaves your device.

    Free to view. Up to 25 photos at once, no sign-up.

    What is HEIC metadata?

    HEIC metadata is the EXIF data an iPhone stores inside a .heic photo: GPS location, date and time, camera and lens. GeoTag.world is a free HEIC metadata viewer. Drop the file in and it shows every field and the map location in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.

    You cannot see this data in the picture itself, but anyone with the original file can read it in seconds. Check it before you share.

    How to use the HEIC metadata viewer

    No app to install. Works on a phone, Mac, Windows PC or Chromebook.

    1. 1

      Add your HEIC file

      Drag in a .heic or .heif photo, or pick one from your files.

    2. 2

      Read the EXIF fields

      See the date, camera, lens, exposure and orientation at a glance.

    3. 3

      Check the location

      If the photo has HEIC GPS data, the coordinates appear with a pin on a map.

    4. 4

      Remove it if you want

      Strip the location for free and download a clean copy, saved as a JPEG. Your original file is not changed.

    What a HEIC photo stores, and why it can reveal where you were

    HEIC is the default photo format on iPhone. Each file carries EXIF metadata written by the camera when you take the shot.

    If Location Services is on for the Camera, that includes the latitude and longitude of where you stood. Share the original file and you share that spot, whether it is your home, school or office.

    • GPS latitude, longitude and often altitude
    • Date and time the photo was taken
    • Camera make, model and lens
    • Orientation, so the photo displays the right way up

    How to view HEIC metadata on iPhone, Mac and Windows

    Your device has built-in options too. Menu names vary by version. For a HEIC EXIF viewer that works on any system and lets you view HEIC location on a map, use GeoTag.world.

    • iPhone: open the photo in Photos and swipe up, or tap Info (i). You see the date, camera and a map if a location is saved.
    • Mac: open the file in Preview, choose Tools > Show Inspector, then the Info tab, which can include a GPS section. Finder > Get Info shows some details too.
    • Windows: HEIC files may need the HEIF Image Extensions and HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store. Then right-click the file and choose Properties > Details.

    How to remove location from HEIC photos

    There are several ways to remove GPS from HEIC photos. To stop future photos saving location at all, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Camera and choose Never.

    • iPhone Share sheet: tap Share, then Options, and turn Location off before sending. This applies to that share only.
    • iPhone Photos: open the photo, tap Info (i), then Adjust, and choose No Location.
    • Mac Preview: in Tools > Show Inspector > Info, click Remove Location Info, then save.
    • GeoTag.world: drop the photo in and remove the location in your browser, with no upload. The cleaned copy is saved as a JPEG, not HEIC.

    HEIC vs JPEG metadata

    Both hold the same kind of EXIF data. They differ in how widely they open and in what cleaning here produces.

    FieldHEIC (.heic)JPEG (.jpg)
    GPS locationYes, if Location Services was onYes, if the camera saved it
    Date, camera and lensYesYes
    Opens everywhereNo, some systems need extra supportYes
    After editing or cleaning hereSaved as a new JPEGStays a JPEG

    Check your HEIC photo before you share it

    See what your iPhone saved, including where it was taken, and remove the location. Free, with no upload.

    HEIC metadata questions

    How can I view HEIC metadata?

    Use a HEIC metadata viewer. Drop the .heic file into GeoTag.world to see the date, camera and GPS location on a map, read in your browser. On iPhone you can also swipe up on the photo in Photos.

    How do I see where a HEIC photo was taken?

    Check its GPS fields. If the file has HEIC metadata location data, GeoTag.world shows the coordinates and a pin on the map. If none appears, no location was saved or it was removed.

    Can Windows view HEIC?

    Yes, usually after adding support. Windows may need the HEIF Image Extensions and HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store. This viewer reads the metadata without them.

    Why can't I view HEIC photos?

    Your device or app probably lacks HEIC support. Install the HEIF and HEVC extensions on Windows, use an app that supports HEIC, or convert the photo to JPEG.

    Does the file stay HEIC after cleaning?

    No. A HEIC photo you edit or clean here is decoded in your browser and saved as a JPEG. Your original file is not changed.

    Does converting HEIC to JPG keep the GPS data?

    It depends on the converter. Many copy the EXIF data, location included, and some drop it, so check the JPEG afterwards. When you clean a photo here, the location is removed.

    Can I remove location from HEIC without uploading it?

    Yes. GeoTag.world removes the location in your browser, so the photo stays on your device. It is free, and you download the clean copy as a JPEG.

    Is the HEIC viewer free?

    Yes. Viewing metadata is free and needs no account, for up to 25 photos at once. Removing location is free too.

    HEIC Metadata Viewer: See iPhone Photo GPS and EXIF Free