Yes, videos can contain GPS location data, just like photos. When you record video on a smartphone or camera with location services enabled, GPS coordinates, altitude, and other geographic metadata are embedded in the video file. This applies to MP4, MOV, AVI, and other video formats.
Videos recorded on your phone with GPS enabled reveal exactly where you were when filming. This can expose your home address, workplace, travel patterns, and other sensitive locations.
What GPS Data Videos Contain
Location Information
- Latitude and longitude: Precise geographic coordinates (e.g., 40.7128° N, 74.0060° W)
- Altitude: Elevation above sea level in meters
- GPS timestamp: Exact UTC time when recording started
- Location name: Some devices include city/region name
- Coordinate precision: Accuracy measurement in meters
- GPS track: Some formats support recording movement during video
Additional Video Metadata
- Device make and model: "Apple iPhone 15 Pro" or "Canon EOS R5"
- Recording software: Camera app or video editing software
- Date and time: When video was recorded
- Duration: Video length
- Resolution: 1080p, 4K, etc.
- Frame rate: 30fps, 60fps, etc.
- Codec information: H.264, H.265/HEVC, etc.
- Audio codec: AAC, MP3, etc.
- Camera orientation: Portrait/landscape
- Creator/author: User or device name
Similar to photo metadata - learn more about EXIF data in images.
Video Formats and GPS Support
MP4 (MPEG-4)
GPS Support: ✓ Yes
Most common format. Stores GPS in metadata atoms/boxes. Used by most smartphones and cameras.
Metadata location: moov/udta atoms
MOV (QuickTime)
GPS Support: ✓ Yes
Apple's format. Extensive GPS metadata support including GPS track throughout video.
Metadata location: QuickTime metadata atoms
AVI
GPS Support: ✗ Limited
Older format with limited metadata support. Can have GPS in custom fields but not standardized.
Metadata location: INFO chunk (rarely used)
MKV (Matroska)
GPS Support: ~ Possible
Flexible format that can store metadata tags, but GPS rarely added by recording devices.
Metadata location: Tags segment
WebM
GPS Support: ~ Possible
Web-optimized format. Can contain metadata but typically stripped for web use.
Metadata location: Metadata elements
3GP/3GPP
GPS Support: ✓ Yes
Mobile phone format. Supports GPS location data like MP4.
Metadata location: Similar to MP4
Device-Specific GPS Behavior
iPhone/iPad
iOS devices embed comprehensive GPS data:
- Location services enabled: GPS automatically added to videos
- Metadata includes:
- Precise GPS coordinates (latitude/longitude)
- Altitude
- Device model (e.g., "iPhone 15 Pro")
- iOS version
- Recording settings (frame rate, codec)
- QuickTime creation date
- Formats: MOV (default) or MP4 (if changed in settings)
How to Disable GPS on iPhone Videos
- Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services
- Scroll to Camera
- Select "Never" or "Ask Next Time"
Android Devices
Android GPS behavior varies by manufacturer:
- Samsung: Includes GPS if location enabled in Camera app
- Google Pixel: Stores GPS in MP4 metadata
- OnePlus, Xiaomi: Similar GPS embedding when location is on
How to Disable GPS on Android Videos
- Open Camera app
- Go to Settings (gear icon)
- Find "Save location" or "GPS tag"
- Toggle OFF
Digital Cameras
- Built-in GPS: High-end cameras like Canon 1D X, Nikon D6 have GPS
- External GPS: Some cameras support GPS accessories
- Smartphone tethering: Apps sync GPS from phone to camera
- Action cameras: GoPro, DJI drones automatically record GPS tracks
Drones
Drone videos contain extensive GPS data:
- Takeoff location coordinates
- Flight path with GPS track
- Altitude throughout video
- Drone model and serial number
- Controller/pilot information (sometimes)
- Home point coordinates
Drone videos can reveal not just where you filmed, but your takeoff location (often your home) and complete flight path. Always strip GPS before sharing drone footage publicly.
How to Check if Your Video Has GPS Data
Windows
Method 1: File Properties
- Right-click video file
- Select Properties
- Click Details tab
- Look under "GPS" section
- Check for Latitude, Longitude, Altitude
Method 2: VLC Media Player
- Open video in VLC
- Go to Tools → Media Information (Ctrl+I)
- Click Metadata tab
- Look for GPS coordinates in metadata list
Mac
Method 1: Get Info
- Select video file
- Press Cmd+I (Get Info)
- Look under "More Info" section
- Check for GPS coordinates
Method 2: QuickTime Player
- Open video in QuickTime
- Go to Window → Show Movie Inspector (Cmd+I)
- Review metadata fields
Method 3: Terminal with mdls
mdls -name kMDItemLatitude -name kMDItemLongitude video.mp4Command Line (All Platforms)
ExifTool - Most Reliable Method
# View all metadata including GPS
exiftool video.mp4
# Show only GPS data
exiftool -GPS* video.mp4
# Extract GPS coordinates
exiftool -GPSLatitude -GPSLongitude -GPSAltitude video.mp4
FFmpeg
# Show all metadata
ffmpeg -i video.mp4 -f ffmetadata metadata.txt
# Display format info
ffprobe -show_format -show_streams video.mp4
iPhone/iPad
- Open video in Photos app
- Swipe up on video
- If location is embedded, you'll see a map
- Tap map to see precise location
Online Tools
- Get-Metadata.com: Upload video to view metadata
- Jeffrey's Exif Viewer: exif.regex.info
- Metadata2Go: metadata2go.com
Only upload non-sensitive videos to online metadata viewers. Your video content and metadata are sent to third-party servers.
How to Remove GPS Data from Videos
ExifTool (Recommended)
Most reliable method for removing GPS metadata:
# Remove all GPS data
exiftool -gps:all= video.mp4
# Remove all metadata
exiftool -all= video.mp4
# Batch process multiple videos
exiftool -gps:all= *.mp4
# Recursive (all videos in folder)
exiftool -r -gps:all= /path/to/videos/
Installation:
- Mac:
brew install exiftool - Linux:
sudo apt install libimage-exiftool-perl - Windows: Download from exiftool.org
FFmpeg Method
Re-encode video without metadata:
# Strip all metadata, copy streams (fast, no re-encoding)
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -map_metadata -1 -c:v copy -c:a copy output.mp4
# Re-encode with stripped metadata (better compatibility)
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -map_metadata -1 output.mp4
Windows Tools
- HandBrake: Free video converter, option to strip metadata
- Adobe Premiere Pro: Export settings → uncheck metadata
- Metadata Remover: GUI tool for batch processing
Mac Tools
- iMovie: Export video (creates new file without original metadata)
- Final Cut Pro: Export with metadata options
- HandBrake: Cross-platform, metadata removal option
- Permute: Batch video converter with metadata control
Mobile Apps
iOS
- Metapho: View and remove video metadata
- Video Metadata Remover: Dedicated metadata stripping
- Shortcuts app: Create workflow to strip metadata
Android
- Scrambled Exif: Remove GPS before sharing
- Photo & Video Metadata Remover: Batch processing
- ObscuraCam: Privacy-focused video editor
Comprehensive guide: How to remove hidden data from files.
Social Media and Video GPS Data
Do Platforms Strip GPS?
- YouTube: Strips GPS and most metadata on upload
- Facebook: Removes location data from videos
- Instagram: Strips GPS but may use for location tagging
- TikTok: Removes GPS metadata
- Twitter: Strips most video metadata
- Vimeo: Removes GPS by default
Always remove GPS yourself before uploading. Platform policies can change, and downloading/re-sharing videos may expose metadata.
Direct Sharing Risks
GPS remains intact when sharing via:
- Email attachments
- Cloud storage links (Dropbox, Google Drive)
- Messaging apps (WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram) - varies
- AirDrop (preserves all metadata)
- Direct file transfers
Privacy Best Practices
- Disable GPS at recording time: Turn off location services in camera app
- Strip metadata before sharing: Use ExifTool or video editors
- Check metadata regularly: Verify GPS removal worked
- Educate others: Warn family/friends about video GPS
- Use privacy-focused apps: Tools designed for metadata removal
- Avoid drone videos of home: Reveals exact address and property layout
- Be cautious with work videos: Office locations may be sensitive
- Review before posting: Double-check GPS is gone
Legal and Security Implications
GDPR and Privacy Laws
- GPS data is personal data under GDPR
- Requires consent for processing
- Right to erasure applies
- Organizations must protect video metadata
Related: Is metadata personal data?
Security Risks
- Home address exposure: Videos recorded at home reveal location
- Travel patterns: Multiple videos show movement habits
- Work locations: Office or client site addresses
- Military/security: Operational locations exposed
- Stalking/harassment: Enables tracking of individuals
Real-World Examples
Notable GPS Metadata Incidents
- Fitness app (Strava) heatmaps (2018): Revealed military base locations through GPS tracks
- ISIS fighters (2015): Location exposed through video metadata
- Journalist safety: Reports from conflict zones compromised by GPS
- Celebrity stalking: Home addresses revealed in social media videos
Advanced Topics
GPS Tracks vs. Single Coordinates
Some formats support continuous GPS tracking:
- MOV/MP4: Can store GPS track with location at each time point
- GPX embedding: GPS logs embedded in video metadata
- Drone flight logs: Complete 3D path of drone during recording
Metadata Persistence
- Metadata survives most video edits unless explicitly stripped
- Trimming or cutting video may preserve GPS
- Format conversion doesn't always remove metadata
- Screen recordings of videos don't capture original GPS
Conclusion
Videos absolutely can and often do contain GPS location data. If you record video on a smartphone with location services enabled, your exact coordinates, altitude, and other geographic information are embedded in the file. This poses significant privacy and security risks when sharing videos.
Always disable location services when recording sensitive videos, or strip GPS metadata using tools like ExifTool or FFmpeg before sharing. Don't rely on social media platforms to remove metadata—take control of your privacy by removing it yourself.