One of the most frequent questions we get is: "Do I need to clean my photos if I only share them on WhatsApp?" The short answer is: **Yes, WhatsApp removes most EXIF data, but with a few critical caveats.**

How WhatsApp Processes Your Images

When you send a photo through a standard WhatsApp chat, the application compresses the file to save bandwidth. During this compression process, almost all EXIF metadata—including GPS coordinates and camera settings—is stripped from the file.

The "Document" Exception

However, if you send a photo as a **"Document"** (to preserve quality), WhatsApp does NOT strip the metadata. The recipient will receive the exact original file, including every bit of hidden EXIF data.

To be 100% safe, especially when sending high-resolution assets to professional contacts or strangers, we recommend running your files through ProMetadata first. This ensures no data is leaked regardless of how you choose to send the file.