How to Manage Geo-Location Tags on Google Photos

Photos capture more than just moments; they also store valuable information like the location where they were taken. Geo-location tags in Google Photos allow you to revisit memories and view your photos on a map. However, it's essential to understand how to manage these tags to protect your privacy. In this article, we will guide you on how to add, edit, and remove geo-location tags on Google Photos.

Things to Know Before Changing Geo-Location Tags

Before we dive into the process, there are a few things you need to know about changing geo-location tags on Google Photos:

• You can only change the location data for photos that are already backed up.
• The location data added by the camera app cannot be changed or deleted.
• Location tags added by Google Photos can be shared with others through the app but not with third-party apps.
• Location details added by Google Photos are only visible within the app and not when you open photos in other photo apps.

Add, Edit, Remove Geo-Location Tag for One Photo on Google Photos

On Smartphone

1. Open the Google Photos app on your Android or iOS smartphone and select an image.
2. Tap on the three-dot menu at the top right corner.
3. Under the Details section, you will find the location tag. If it's already added, you will see the location name and a small map. Otherwise, you will see the “Add a location” option.
4. To add a location, tap on “Add a location,” enter the location name, and select the location from the options provided.
5. To edit an existing location, tap on the pencil icon beside the location name and enter the new location.
6. To remove the location tag altogether, tap on the pencil icon and select the “Remove location” option.

On Desktop

1. Open the Google Photos web app on your browser and select an image.
2. Click on the (i) icon at the top right corner.
3. Scroll down and click on the “Add a location” option.
4. In the pop-up, enter the location and select the suggested location.
5. To edit or remove the location tag, click on the pencil icon beside the location name.
6. In the pop-up, change the location or select the “Remove location” option to remove it completely.

Add, Edit, Remove Geo-Location Tag in Bulk on Google Photos

Managing location tags for multiple photos individually can be time-consuming. Here's how you can make changes to the location tags for multiple photos at once:

On Smartphone

1. Open the Google Photos app on your Android or iOS device and long-press on any photo to select it. Tap on other photos to multi-select them.
2. Tap on the three-dot menu at the top right corner and select the “Edit location” option.
3. Enter the name of the location and select a place from the results.
4. If any of the selected photos already have a location tag, you will see the “Remove location” option when you tap on the three-dot menu. Use this option to delete the location tag first.

On Desktop

1. Open the Google Photos web app and select multiple photos by hovering over each photo and clicking on the checkmark icon.
2. Once you have selected all the photos you want to edit, click on the three-dot menu and select the “Edit location” option.
3. In the pop-up, search for a location and select it from the results to add.
4. To remove the location tag, select the “No location” option, which will remove the location from all the selected photos.

Add Location Tags Automatically on Google Photos

Adding location tags to numerous photos individually can be tedious. Google Photos offers an “Estimate missing location” feature that automatically adds location tags to your photos based on landmarks and your location history.

On Smartphone

1. Open the Google Photos app on your Android or iOS device and tap on the profile icon at the top right corner. Select “Photos settings.”
2. In Settings, go to Location and then Location sources.
3. Enable the “Estimate missing location” option. Check if your Location history is on, and enable it if necessary.

On Desktop

1. Open Google Photos on your desktop and click on the Cog icon at the top right corner to open Settings.
2. Scroll down and click on the drop-down icon beside Location to open the Location settings.
3. Enable the “Estimate missing locations” option.
4. Check if your Location history is on by clicking on “View” and turn it on if necessary.

Adding Location in Google Photos Albums

Adding location details to albums is different from adding location tags to individual photos. The location feature in albums adjusts the layout of photos based on time and location, enhancing the viewing experience.

On Smartphone

1. Open the Google Photos app on your Android or iOS device and select the Library tab. Choose the album you want to edit.
2. Tap on the three-dot menu and select the Edit option.
3. Tap on the location icon in the top bar and select “All suggested locations” to add locations automatically. Alternatively, you can manually select the location or map option.

On Desktop

1. Open the Google Photos website and select the Albums option in the left sidebar.
2. Choose the album you want to edit.
3. Click on the three-dot menu and select Edit album.
4. Click on the location icon in the top right corner.
5. Select the “All suggested locations” option to add locations automatically. You can also choose to add locations or maps manually.

Location Tags on Google Photos

When you share photos from the Google Photos app, location tags are shared along with them. To disable this, tap on the recipient's username in the chat and disable the “Share photo location” toggle. You can also change the date and time tags on Google Photos for more accurate organization.

Managing geo-location tags on Google Photos allows you to preserve your privacy while still enjoying the benefits of location-based photo organization. Follow these steps to add, edit, and remove location tags, and enhance your photo-sharing experience.