Mobile phones have quickly become the most prevalent photo cameras. Only photographers and photo enthusiasts keep using bulky DSLRs anymore since cell phones have better and better cameras. However, when it comes to photo metadata, while mobile phone cameras work very well in recording all relevant photo metadata, photo management mobile applications vary a lot in how they allow you to see and edit this photo metadata. In this article we will explore three popular mobile applications and how they allow you to change photo metadata on your mobile phone.
6 video modules - over 30 videos containing step-by-step instructions for Windows or Mac programs like Lightroom, ACDSee, Picasa and Photos.
All my e-Books for free - all my products are included.
Completely self-paced. Learn at your own pace and take as long as you want until you learn how to organize your photos. More info
What is Photo Metadata?
Photo metadata is information about a particular photo. Whatever camera was used to create the photo, will most likely record all this information about the photo. Photo metadata contains the following information:
- Date and time
- Keywords
- Location
- Face Detection
Why Would you Change Photo Metadata?
Modern cell phones record photo metadata correctly. Date and Time, Location as well as a slew of EXIF data fields get populate correctly inside all your image files when you use your mobile phone to take pictures. However, images arrive on your mobile phone from other sources as well: saving photos from SMS messages as well as an endless stream of social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. These sources most likely do not have the correct photo metadata recorded in the versions of photos that end up on your phone.
This is when you would want to change photo metadata on your phone.
1. Google Photos
Google Photos is available both on Android and iOS and is one of the most popular photo management applications for your mobile phone. While you can’t change all metadata, Google Photos allows you to create and change some image metadata.
- Open Google Photos
- Tap a photo where you want to change metadata. The image should be in full view.
- Swipe up on the image and the metadata display will be shown.
Google Photos mobile application allows you to see basic photo metadata
- You can view some existing metadata: date, location and face recognition information. However, most of this data is not editable with the exception of date and time.
- You can change image date and time by tapping on the edit date and time. The date/time editor is very easy to use. The Google Photos date and time editor for images is easy to use.
Google Photos allows you to change date/time photo metadata
2. Photos on iPhone
Photos is available on iOS only and it is the default photo management application on any iPhone. However, as with most Apple software, metadata editing capabilities are simply non-existent. Photos only shows you whatever metadata is already present in the photo, but you can’t change anything…period.
You can only view photo metadata with Photos Application on the iPhone as the application doesn’t allow you to change photo metadata.
3. Lightroom Mobile
Adobe Lightroom is the most popular photo management for photographers. As such, the mobile version of Lightroom is packed with image editing features including image metadata editing.
- In order to see the existing metadata, use the pull down from top left of the screen and select Info. This will reveal existing image metadata. This includes a lot more metadata about the camera including ISO, Aperture and exposure time.
Viewing photo metadata is simple and more descriptive in Lightroom Mobile application
- Now that you see the metadata you can also add keywords by using the same top left pull-down and selecting keywords. A simple fields allows you to add a comma separated list of keyword.
Adding keywords is simple and efficient in Lightroom Mobile
Read More: 5 Ways to Change Photo Date on Desktop
Manage Photo Metadata on Your Phone
As you have seen, these popular mobile applications vary a lot in what they allow you to do with your photo metadata. Photos on the iPhone doesn’t allow any changes, while Google Photos gives you some options. On the other hand, a photo editing focused application like Lightroom Mobile, gives you a lot more options in managing you photo metadata.
Essentials for organizing your digital photos
Here are the essential products and services I have come to rely on for many years to keep my media collection organized and safe. Even though these are affiliate links, I wholeheartedly recommend them. 
Excellent Lightroom and Picasa alternative. If you need a cheaper and simpler photo manager then ACDSee Photo Studio for Mac (save 50% until Nov 8th) or ACDSee Photo Studio Professional for Windows (new version) is my preferred solution for organizing all my media. It has a very fast browser, great image editing and it's simple to use.
If you do a lot of image editing like I do, I recommend using Adobe Lightroom Classic CC via the annual Adobe Creative Cloud subscription. Lightroom has best photo editing capabilities even though it comes with a steeper learning curve. If you do image editing, Adobe Lightroom is my favorite.
I recommend Backblaze Personal Cloud Backup for affordable & reliable unlimited cloud backup. I have been using Backblaze for backing up all pictures & videos for more than 5 years now. All my invaluable digital memories are safe and secure. This is the best solution especially if you have a large quantity of media files.
Use a reliable & affordable external hard drive for backing up everything on your computer. It is absolutely essential for keeping all your memories backed up and safe.
Start organizing now using detailed, step-by-step instructions and videos:
Personal Coaching (closed) Independent Course Private Lessons
Reference book Basics book Picasa book
YOURS FREE! 10 crucial steps most people miss when organizing their digital photos
Most people want to just organize their digital pictures and ignore these crucial steps right at the beginning...when they are shooting and transferring their digital pictures. Then they wonder why they can't organize their digital photos! Avoid most people's mistakes and start on the right track!