Camera and media capture
Camera location metadata
Most people call this whether photos record where they were taken.
Camera location access decides whether each photo carries the coordinates of where it was taken.
This setting is present on your iPhone.
- We have this path on file but have not yet confirmed it against an official source.
Where to find it - iOS 16 and later
- Settings
- Privacy & Security
- Location Services
- Camera
What it does
Location in the photo file powers Places in Photos and Memories sorted by trip. It also travels with the file when you share it, unless you strip it first.
What changes
When it is on
Photos record where they were taken.
When it is off
No location is stored. Places and location based Memories stop working.
Should you turn it on?
Good reasons to turn it on
- Photos organise themselves by place and trip.
- Finding a photo by where you were is often easier than by date.
Good reasons to turn it off
- Shared photos cannot reveal your home or workplace.
- Nothing else about the camera changes.
Battery
No real change
Privacy
Helps
Performance
No real change
Cellular data
No real change
Storage
No real change
Out of the box: While Using the App, once you allow it.
Questions people actually ask
- Do my photos show where I live?
- If Camera has location access, yes, the coordinates are in the file. Turn it off, or strip location when sharing.
If it is not working
- The share sheet has an Options control that can remove location from what you send.
- Existing photos keep their location. Changing this only affects new ones.