Can Screenshots Contain Metadata?

Updated December 12, 2025 | 8 min read

Yes, screenshots can contain metadata, but significantly less than camera photos. Screenshot metadata typically includes creation timestamp, image dimensions, and sometimes device or software information. Critically, screenshots do not include GPS location data, camera EXIF, or sensor information that regular photos contain.

Key Takeaway:
Screenshots are a privacy-friendly way to share images because they strip out camera metadata, but they still contain some system-level information that varies by platform.

Screenshot vs. Photo Metadata Comparison

Metadata Type Camera Photos Screenshots
GPS Coordinates ✓ Yes (if enabled) ✗ No
Camera Model ✓ Yes ✗ No
Camera Serial Number ✓ Yes (many models) ✗ No
EXIF Data (settings) ✓ Yes (extensive) ✗ No
Creation Timestamp ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Image Dimensions ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Software/App Name ~ Sometimes ✓ Yes (usually)
Device Model ✓ Yes ~ Sometimes
Creator/Author ~ Sometimes ~ Sometimes
Color Profile ✓ Yes ✓ Yes

Platform-Specific Screenshot Metadata

Windows Screenshots

Built-in Snipping Tool / Snip & Sketch

Windows screenshot tools embed minimal metadata:

  • File creation date: Timestamp of when screenshot was taken
  • File modification date: Edit history
  • Image dimensions: Screen resolution captured
  • Bit depth: Color depth (24-bit, 32-bit)
  • DPI/Resolution: Usually 96 DPI for screens
  • Software: May include "Snipping Tool" or "Windows.Graphics.Capture"
  • Author field: Sometimes contains Windows username

How to View Windows Screenshot Metadata

  1. Right-click screenshot file
  2. Select Properties
  3. Click Details tab
  4. Review all visible metadata fields

Example Windows Screenshot Metadata:

File name: Screenshot_2025-12-12.png
File size: 847 KB
Dimensions: 1920 x 1080
Date created: 12/12/2025 3:45 PM
Date modified: 12/12/2025 3:45 PM
Author: JohnDoe
Computer: DESKTOP-ABC123
Privacy Note:
Windows often includes your username in the "Author" field. Always check and remove this before sharing screenshots publicly.

Mac Screenshots

Native Screenshot Tool (Cmd+Shift+3/4/5)

macOS screenshots contain:

  • Creation date/time: When screenshot was captured
  • Modification date: Last edit timestamp
  • Image size: Pixel dimensions and file size
  • Color profile: Display P3 or sRGB
  • Software: "macOS Screenshot" or "screencapture"
  • Pixel density: Screen DPI (typically 144 for Retina)
  • Format: PNG by default
  • Computer name: May be embedded in some metadata

How to View Mac Screenshot Metadata

Method 1: Get Info

  1. Select screenshot file
  2. Press Cmd+I (or right-click → Get Info)
  3. View "More Info" section

Method 2: Terminal

mdls screenshot.png

This displays all Spotlight metadata attributes.

Method 3: ExifTool

exiftool screenshot.png

Example Mac Screenshot Metadata:

File Name: Screen Shot 2025-12-12 at 3.45.23 PM.png
File Size: 1.2 MB
Image Size: 2880 x 1800
Color Space: Display P3
Bit Depth: 8
Software: macOS 14.2
Creation Date: 2025:12:12 15:45:23

iPhone/iPad Screenshots

iOS Screenshot Metadata

iOS screenshots are notably clean:

  • No GPS data: Location services not triggered
  • No camera EXIF: Not captured with camera hardware
  • Creation timestamp: Date/time included
  • Image dimensions: Device screen resolution
  • Device model: Sometimes included (e.g., "iPhone 15 Pro")
  • iOS version: May be inferred from metadata structure
  • Orientation: Portrait/landscape metadata
  • Color profile: Display P3

How to View iOS Screenshot Metadata

iOS doesn't provide built-in metadata viewing. Options:

  • Transfer to Mac and use Get Info
  • Use third-party apps: Metapho, Exif Viewer, ViewExif
  • Upload to computer and use ExifTool

Example iPhone Screenshot Metadata:

Make: Apple
Model: iPhone 15 Pro
Software: 17.2
Date/Time: 2025:12:12 15:45:23
Image Size: 1290 x 2796
Color Space: Display P3
Orientation: Vertical
Profile: Display P3
iOS Privacy Feature:
When sharing photos via iMessage or AirDrop, iOS gives you the option to share "without location" which strips metadata, though screenshots already lack location data.

Android Screenshots

Android Screenshot Metadata (Varies by Manufacturer)

Android screenshot metadata varies significantly:

  • Samsung: Often includes device model, sometimes Knox security status
  • Google Pixel: Minimal metadata, timestamp and dimensions
  • OnePlus: Device model and OxygenOS version
  • Xiaomi: MIUI version, device details

Common across all Android screenshots:

  • No GPS/location data
  • Creation timestamp
  • Image dimensions matching screen resolution
  • Software/ROM information
  • Sometimes device manufacturer and model

How to View Android Screenshot Metadata

  • Transfer to PC and use file properties
  • Use Android apps: Photo Metadata Viewer, Exif Viewer
  • Connect to computer and use ExifTool

Third-Party Screenshot Tools

Desktop Screenshot Applications

ShareX (Windows)

  • Configurable metadata inclusion
  • Can add custom watermarks
  • Optional automatic metadata stripping
  • Adds "Software: ShareX" tag

Lightshot

  • Minimal metadata by default
  • Upload service may add server metadata
  • Local saves include timestamp

Greenshot

  • Configurable metadata settings
  • Can strip metadata on save
  • Adds software identifier

Monosnap

  • Creation date preserved
  • Software tag included
  • No location data

Browser Extensions

Screenshot browser extensions typically include:

  • Extension name in metadata
  • Capture timestamp
  • Image dimensions
  • May include page URL in filename or metadata

What Metadata Reveals About You

Information Leakage from Screenshot Metadata

  • Username: Computer name or author field reveals identity
  • Device type: Screen resolution indicates device model
  • Operating system: Metadata structure reveals OS
  • Time zone: Timestamp reveals approximate location
  • Workflow/tools: Software used indicates profession or preferences
  • Screen setup: Multi-monitor configuration from dimensions

Inference Attacks

Even minimal metadata enables inference:

  • Working hours: Screenshot timestamps reveal schedule
  • Device refresh cycle: Older screen resolutions indicate older devices
  • Organization: Corporate device naming conventions
  • Location patterns: Consistent time zones in timestamps

Learn more: Is metadata personal data?

How to Remove Screenshot Metadata

Windows Methods

Method 1: File Properties

  1. Right-click screenshot → Properties
  2. Click Details tab
  3. Click "Remove Properties and Personal Information"
  4. Choose removal options
  5. Click OK

Method 2: Paint

  1. Open screenshot in Paint
  2. Make any minor edit (resize 1px or add/remove pixel)
  3. Save As → creates new file with minimal metadata

Mac Methods

Method 1: Preview Export

  1. Open in Preview
  2. File → Export
  3. Choose format and save
  4. New file has reduced metadata

Method 2: ImageOptim

  1. Download ImageOptim (free)
  2. Drag screenshots into app
  3. Automatically strips all metadata

Command Line (All Platforms)

ExifTool

# Remove all metadata
exiftool -all= screenshot.png

# Batch remove from multiple files
exiftool -all= *.png

# Recursive removal in directory
exiftool -r -all= /path/to/folder

ImageMagick

# Strip metadata and re-save
magick convert input.png -strip output.png

Online Tools

  • VerExif.com: View and remove EXIF data
  • ExifRemove.com: Batch metadata removal
  • IMGonline.com.ua: EXIF cleaner
Online Tool Warning:
Uploading screenshots to online services means third parties can see your images. Only use for non-sensitive content.

Complete guide: How to remove hidden data from files.

Screenshots in Different Contexts

Screen Recording Metadata

Video screen recordings contain more metadata:

  • Recording software name and version
  • Codec information
  • Frame rate and bitrate
  • Audio device information
  • Possibly GPS if recorded on phone (rare)

Related: Do videos contain GPS data?

Gaming Screenshots

  • Steam: Adds game name, timestamp, player ID
  • Xbox/PlayStation: Player gamertag, game title
  • GeForce Experience: GPU info, game settings

Remote Desktop Screenshots

  • May include remote session metadata
  • Server information sometimes embedded
  • Connection timestamps

Privacy Best Practices

  1. Always strip metadata before sharing publicly
  2. Check username fields that reveal identity
  3. Remove timestamps if timing is sensitive
  4. Use dedicated tools for metadata removal
  5. Verify removal by checking processed files
  6. Consider visible content as bigger risk than metadata
  7. Use privacy-focused tools like ImageOptim or ExifTool
  8. Educate others about screenshot metadata

Technical Deep Dive

PNG Metadata Chunks

PNG files store metadata in chunks:

  • tEXt: Text metadata (uncompressed)
  • zTXt: Compressed text metadata
  • iTXt: International text (UTF-8)
  • tIME: Modification timestamp
  • pHYs: Physical pixel dimensions
  • sRGB/iCCP: Color space information

JPEG Metadata Segments

  • APP0 (JFIF): Basic image info
  • APP1 (EXIF): Extended metadata (usually absent in screenshots)
  • APP2 (ICC): Color profile
  • COM: Comments

Conclusion

Screenshots do contain metadata, but far less than camera photos. The absence of GPS coordinates, camera EXIF, and sensor data makes screenshots inherently more private than original photos. However, they still include creation timestamps, image dimensions, and sometimes device or user information that should be removed before sharing publicly.

For maximum privacy, always review and strip metadata from screenshots before sharing. The visible content of screenshots typically poses a greater privacy risk than the metadata itself, so carefully examine what's shown in the image.

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