When we work with files in Android, we are often unaware that they contain hidden information called MetadataThis data can include details such as the creation date, GPS location, the device the file was generated on, and much more. In this article, we'll explore this in depth. what is metadata, how to see this hidden data, edit and even delete them on Android.
If you've ever wanted to know more about a file on your phone or delete private information before sharing it, this article offers a complete and detailed guide with all the necessary tools.
What is metadata?
Metadata is additional information stored within a file. Depending on the file type, metadata may include:
- In pictures: EXIF data such as the camera used, aperture, ISO, and GPS location.
- In videos: Resolution, duration, format and recording details.
- In documents: Author, creation date, last modification and program used.
- In audio files: Artist name, album, audio quality and duration.
How to view metadata on Android
To view metadata on Android, there are several options. Some gallery apps and file explorers allow you to view basic information about an image or video, but if you need more detailed information, it's recommended to use specific apps.
Google Photos
If you use Google Photos, simply open an image and tap the information icon (an "i" inside a circle). Here you'll see details like the date it was captured, the resolution, and whether the image has location data. For more information on managing this app, you can check out how to manage your photos effectively.
Use of specialized applications
To view more detailed metadata, there are specific apps such as:
- Media Metadata Info: Allows you to view metadata of photos, videos and audios.
- EXIF Pro: An advanced tool that displays EXIF, XMP and IPTC metadata.
- Photo Exif Editor: Allows you to view and edit the EXIF data of photos.
If you'd like to learn more about viewing and editing EXIF data, check out our guide on how to view and edit EXIF data in Android photos.
How to delete or modify metadata on Android
If you want to protect your privacy and avoid sharing information such as the location of an image, you can remove the metadata before uploading the file.
Remove metadata with Photo Exif Editor
Photo Exif Editor is one of the best options for removing or modifying EXIF information in images. To use it:
- Download and install Photo Exif Editor from Google Play.
- Open the app and select the image you want to edit.
- You can modify the information or directly delete the metadata.
- Save the image and that's it, it will no longer show hidden data.
How to remove metadata in various formats
If you're looking for a solution to remove metadata from different types of files (images, documents, videos, etc.), you can try tools like:
- Metashield Clean-up Online: Allows you to remove metadata in multiple formats.
- Jeffrey's Exif Viewer: Ideal for photos and compatible with various formats.
- PDFCandy: Allows you to edit and clean metadata in PDF files.
For a wide variety of formats, you can learn more about how to remove metadata from a photo and the tools available to do so.
How to edit metadata in videos and audios
If you want to change the information of a video or song, you can do so with tools like:
- EXIF Pro: Allows you to modify the metadata of videos and audios.
- Get-Metadata: An online option for editing media file information.
For videos, some apps like MX Player also offer detailed file information, although they don't allow you to edit the metadata. If you'd like more information on photo management apps, visit our roundup of apps for editing and managing images.
Protecting privacy in digital files is essential. Knowing and managing metadata on Android allows us to see hidden information in photos, videos, and documents, as well as edit or delete them if necessary. There are multiple apps for this, from Google Photos to advanced tools like Photo Exif Editor y EXIF Pro. If you frequently share files online, always check the information that they contain.
