What metadata sits inside a video file
The exact fields depend on the format and the device, but typical entries include:
- GPS coordinates. latitude, longitude, sometimes altitude
- Date and time recorded
- Device make and model. phone manufacturer, model number, sometimes serial
- Software version. the OS or app version that recorded the file
- Encoder. the codec library and version
- Orientation. portrait, landscape, rotation flags
- Original filename and creator
iPhone .mov files in particular are well known for embedding precise GPS data. Android .mp4 files carry similar information depending on the camera app and Android version.
Supported video formats
.mp4, .mov, .qt, .m4v, plus the audio formats .m4a, .m4b, .m4p.
How the cleaning works
- Upload the video to metacleaner.com.
- The file is processed over an encrypted connection.
- Metadata containers are stripped.
- Download the cleaned file.
The video stream, audio stream, resolution, frame rate, and codec are not modified. There's no re-encoding.
File size limits
Video files are usually larger than documents or photos. The free tier caps uploads at 5 MB, which won't cover most videos. The basic plan raises this to 30 MB; the advance and enterprise plans go to 50 MB. For longer or higher-resolution clips, you'll want one of the paid tiers. Pricing details →
Why this matters
A short video shared on social media or sent through a messenger app can carry the same GPS and device fingerprint as a photo. If you're a journalist protecting a source, or you're posting content from somewhere private, stripping metadata before it goes anywhere is straightforward and worth doing.
For businesses, the metadata in promotional or training videos can identify the editor's machine, the network the file was rendered on, and the production software in use. Cleaning before publication is good practice, especially for anything going to clients or onto public platforms.
Frequently asked
Will the video quality drop?
No. The video and audio streams aren't re-encoded.
Does it remove subtitles?
Subtitles in a sidecar file (.srt) aren't part of the video file. Embedded subtitles are content, not metadata, and stay in the file.
What about chapter markers and bookmarks?
Chapter markers are typically stored as metadata and will be removed.
Is the upload encrypted?
Yes.
Do you store the file?
No.
High-volume video cleaning via API
The Metacleaner API supports the same file types as the web upload. If you're publishing video at scale, whether that's a media platform, a corporate library, or a video hosting service, the API is the right way in. API documentation →