What is removed from a JPG
The cleaner scans baseline and progressive JPEG markers, including metadata between progressive scans. It removes XMP, IPTC/Photoshop, APP11/JUMBF, comments and other unsupported application metadata. Embedded JFIF thumbnails and bytes after the end marker are removed.
Privacy clean replaces camera EXIF with a minimal orientation record when needed. Keep camera EXIF leaves the original EXIF block intact, including any sensitive fields it contains. ICC profiles and Adobe color interpretation data are preserved.
Why a photo should not turn sideways
Some JPEGs store pixels in one direction and use EXIF orientation to tell a viewer how to display them. Deleting that instruction can change the appearance even when the compressed image data stays intact.
The cleaner reads orientation before removing EXIF and retains the minimal display instruction. A malformed orientation record produces an error rather than a silently rotated download. Always preview the output in the application where you intend to use it.
When to use a different export
Multi-picture JPEGs and HDR gain-map JPEGs can use embedded references that are affected by removing metadata. The tool rejects an MPF-bearing JPEG instead of stripping those references. Export a standard JPEG or keep the richer original if the additional image information matters.
The cleaner is not an image repair tool. Truncated files and unsupported structures receive an error. Re-download or export a fresh original instead of repeatedly processing a damaged file.
Common questions
Does JPG become PNG?
No. A supported JPEG remains a JPEG and receives a -clean.jpg filename.
Is the file always smaller?
Removing metadata often reduces size, but already minimal files may change little. Size is not used as proof of successful cleaning.
Can I remove GPS and preserve orientation?
Yes. Privacy clean removes the original EXIF block and preserves only the minimal orientation record when required.
Inspect your own file.
Check the containers in your final export, then choose whether to clean a copy.
Open the cleaner