GeoTag is a free macOS application that allows you to update image metadata with geolocation tags by panning and zooming in a map pane and then clicking on the location where a photo was taken. It is a good way to add location information to photos or fine tune existing location information. Image location can also be set from a GPX track log or by manually entering a latitude and longitude.
Image file updates are performed using Phil Harvey’s ExifTool. This allows geolocation data to be modified an unlimited number of times without image degradation as ExifTool modifies metadata without changing the image itself. See https://exiftool.org for information regarding ExifTool. ExifTool is built into GeoTag.
GeoTag version 5.3 and later can also be used to update location and timestamps of images in your Photos Library. The Apple Photos framework handles all Photos Library updates. ExifTool is not used. The original image file in your Photos library is not modified.
This document describes GeoTag version 5.x. Version 5 is a re-write of the program taking advantage of technology in the latest versions of macOS. Version 5.2 and later require macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later. Earlier versions of GeoTag 5 require macOS 13 (Ventura) or later. GeoTag 4.15 is available if you are running earlier versions of macOS. See the GeoTag Home Page.
The user interface changed slightly with version 5.2. Differences between it and earlier versions will be noted.
There were more minor user interface changes in version 5.3.
Table of Contents
- Launching the application
- GeoTag settings
- Menus
- Images and Track Logs
- Locations
- Time Zones and Timestamps
- Saving changes and Quitting
Quick Help
Run Program. Use the Open command from the menu or ⌘O to select files to modify. You can also drag files from the finder into the table on the left side of the application window. File names shown in a light grey color are not recognized as valid image files or are disabled for other reasons. Such files can not be modified. They can be hidden from view. Dragging or opening a folder will add all files in the folder including those in subfolders.
Click on the photo icon in the toolbar to open a picker to select images inside of your Photos Library. The first time you try that you will be asked to allow GeoTag access to your photos. If access is given click on the icon a second time to open the picker.
Select one or more images from the table of images. When selecting multiple images one of the images is considered the “most selected”. The name of the most selected image is shown in yellow using a bolder font. The thumbnail of the most selected image is displayed in the upper right quadrant of the window. Its location (if any) is marked on the map with a pin.
Click on the map to set or change the location of all selected images. Existing location can be changed by clicking on the desired location. Hitting the delete key will remove location information from all selected images. You can Undo/Redo image location changes.
Double click the map to zoom in. Double clicking with the Option key depressed will zoom out. Or use pinch gestures to zoom in and out when using a trackpad. You can also click on the +/- zoom buttons next to the compass at the bottom of the map.
If you find yourself working in a specific area of a map you can save the map type, location, and zoom level by right clicking on the map and selecting the Save map location menu item. When GeoTag is launched the map will load to the last saved location.
You may cut or copy location information from a single image and then paste that information into one or more images. If you make an error you can undo/redo changes. You can undo all changes to all images by selecting “Discard changes” from the “File” menu. All Undo/Redo information is cleared once changes are discarded or saved.
The original versions of image files that have been updated are optionally saved are in a backup folder. The backup folder is set using GeoTag Preferences. The first time GeoTag is run it will prompt you to select a backup folder. Image file updates can not be saved until a backup folder is selected or backups are disabled (not recommended). Images selected from your Photos Library do not need backups as the original file is never modified.
Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete, and Clear Image List can also be accessed from a context menu by right clicking on an entry in the list.