Strip PNG Metadata - macOS Quick Action

Remove ALL metadata (EXIF, XMP, IPTC) from PNG files exported from Gamma, Canva, or other AI tools with a simple right-click.

Why?

AI-generated images often include metadata like "Credit: Made with Google AI" or "Content Creator: Created using Generative AI" that you may want removed before posting to LinkedIn or other platforms.

What it does

• Unlocks "locked" PNG files (common with Gamma exports)
• Strips ALL metadata completely
• Works on individual files or entire folders
• Right-click convenience - no Terminal needed after setup

Requirements

• macOS (tested on Sequoia 15.6.1, should work on earlier versions)
• Homebrew
• exiftool

Installation

Step 1: Install exiftool

Open Terminal and run:

# Install Homebrew if you don't have it
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

# Install exiftool
brew install exiftool

Step 2: Create the Quick Action

1. Open Automator (found in Applications folder or via Spotlight)
2. Choose Quick Action (not Folder Action)
3. Configure the top settings:
   • Set "Workflow receives current" to files or folders
   • Set the dropdown to Finder
   • Leave "Image" and "Color" settings as-is
4. From the Actions library on the left, add Run Shell Script
5. Configure the Run Shell Script action:
   • Set "Shell" to /bin/zsh
   • Set "Pass input" to as arguments
6. Copy the entire contents of strip-metadata.sh from this repo and paste into the script box
7. Save the workflow (⌘S) with the name "Strip All Metadata"

Step 3: You're done!

The Quick Action is now available in Finder.

Usage

1. Right-click any PNG file or folder containing PNGs
2. Go to Quick Actions → Strip All Metadata
3. Done. All metadata is removed.

How it works

The script:

1. Unlocks files using chflags nouchg (removes the lock that Gamma and other tools add)
2. Uses exiftool to strip all metadata tags
3. Processes entire folders recursively if you select a folder
4. Overwrites files in place (no backup copies created)

Troubleshooting

"exiftool: command not found"

• Make sure you installed exiftool via Homebrew
• The script uses /opt/homebrew/bin/exiftool which is the standard path for Apple Silicon Macs
• If you're on an Intel Mac, you may need to change the path to /usr/local/bin/exiftool

Quick Action doesn't appear in right-click menu

• Try logging out and back in
• Check System Preferences → Extensions → Finder to ensure the Quick Action is enabled

Files are still locked after running

• This shouldn't happen, but you can manually unlock in Finder: right-click → Get Info → uncheck "Locked"

License

MIT License - see LICENSE file for details

Contributing

Issues and pull requests welcome. This is a simple utility but if you have improvements, feel free to contribute.

Author

Created by Michael Browne, Rise Above partners for cleaning up AI-generated images from Gamma, Nano Banana and other similar tools.