Scrubframe support
For support, bug reports, or App Store review follow-up, contact: the App Store product page
Common questions
Do you need an account?
No. Scrubframe works entirely without sign-in or account creation.
Does the app upload my photos?
No. Every step — reading metadata, displaying the map, scrubbing, and exporting — happens locally on your device using Apple's ImageIO framework. Nothing is ever sent to a server.
What does "scrubbing" actually do to my photo?
Scrubframe re-encodes a new copy of your photo through ImageIO with the GPS, EXIF, TIFF maker, IPTC, and maker-note dictionaries removed. Your original pixels are never resampled or altered — only the embedded metadata containers are stripped. The app then performs a verification pass (a second ImageIO read-back) to confirm none of the identifying fields remain.
Does it modify my original photo?
No. Scrubframe always works on a copy. Your original photo stays exactly as it was. The cleaned copy is saved separately to Photos or shared via the share sheet.
Why don't I see a map for some photos?
The map only appears when the photo contains embedded GPS data. Photos taken with Location Services off, or photos downloaded from the web, often carry no GPS. The Simulator's built-in sample photos generally don't include GPS either — this is expected and handled gracefully.
Which platforms strip metadata when I share?
This varies widely. iMessage, AirDrop, email, iCloud Photos, Google Photos, and Dropbox all deliver the original file with metadata intact. Signal strips everything. Instagram and most other social platforms strip the publicly visible copy but may retain your original file on their servers. Open the Platform Safety Guide (in-app via Settings or any photo's detail screen) for the full list of 15 channels, based on 2025 testing.
What is the CSV export?
From any photo's detail screen, you can export the full metadata breakdown as a .csv file — all field groups, labels, values, and a sensitivity flag. It opens in Numbers, Excel, or any spreadsheet app. Useful if you need a record of what a photo contained before you cleaned it.
What does the JPEG quality slider do?
For JPEG and HEIC outputs, the slider (in Settings → Scrub Options) sets the compression quality from 50% to 100%. The default is 95%, which is near-lossless. PNG photos are always lossless and are not affected by this setting.
Can I scrub multiple photos at once?
Yes. Import up to 30 photos, then tap "Scrub All" on the main screen to clean every photo in one pass. Each photo gets its own status indicator, and you can share or save all cleaned copies together.
Is there a subscription?
No. Scrubframe is a one-time purchase with no subscriptions, ads, or in-app purchases.