Google updates Android Photo Picker with location data controls

Google is updating the Android Photo Picker to give users more granular control over sharing location metadata. Previously, the system automatically stripped EXIF GPS coordinates from photos when they were shared with third-party applications to protect user privacy.

Through a new Location Metadata API, users will now be presented with a dialog box asking whether to “Include location info?” when selecting images. This allows apps that rely on geotags—such as travel journals, map services, or photo organizers—to function correctly without requiring users to grant full access to their entire media gallery.

The system will remember the user's preference for each specific app, though settings can be adjusted at any time via a location button within the Photo Picker interface. This update is being rolled out via the August Mainline update.