EXIF vs Photo Metadata: What Is the Difference?
EXIF is one family of photo metadata; learn how GPS, TIFF, IPTC, PNG and other fields relate to the broader term.
Why this matters
People often use EXIF as shorthand for every hidden photo detail, but image files can contain multiple metadata dictionaries.
Metadata is separate from the visible scene. Removing it does not hide faces, addresses, reflections, landmarks or text that appears in the image itself.
Use the narrowest tool that solves the problem
The exact fields depend on format, camera, editor and export path. A viewer that shows one dictionary may not describe the entire file.
Apple documents its current photo information and location controls in the Personal Safety User Guide.
Where Clear fits
Clear reports its supported categories in plain language and removes supported GPS, EXIF, TIFF, IPTC and PNG dictionaries during copy creation.
Processing happens on the iPhone. Clear creates a new copy and does not alter the original photo. It removes supported metadata; it does not claim to erase every possible proprietary block or make a person anonymous.
A practical check before sharing
- Review the image for visible private details.
- Inspect the final file's location, date, camera and supported EXIF fields.
- Create or choose the cleaned copy.
- When consequences matter, inspect the received or downloaded file too.