EXIF Software
The application that last wrote the file — a camera firmware, a phone, or an editor such as Lightroom or Photoshop. It can reveal your editing workflow.
Quick facts
| Tag ID | 0x0131 Software, xmp:CreatorTool |
|---|---|
| Stored in | IFD0 / XMP |
| Example value | Adobe Photoshop 25.0 (Windows), Capture One 23, 16.4 (iPhone 15 Pro) |
| Also known as | Software, processing software, editor, CreatorTool, processing software |
| Privacy risk | Medium. Reveals your editing toolchain and can link you to a specific editor. |
What the Software tag actually means
The Software tag names the program that wrote the file. On an unedited camera photo it is the camera firmware string. After editing it becomes the editor, and the XMP packet often adds xmp:CreatorTool with the same information plus version and platform details.
Why it matters
The software string is a weak but real identifier. It tells a stranger which editing tool you use, and for a professional it can reveal the specific workstation, plugin set or version you have licensed. In forensic work, an unusual software string is a useful link.
What to do about it
Optional. Most people are comfortable revealing their editor. Remove it if your workflow is a competitive advantage or if you publish raw unedited work deliberately.
Who writes this tag
The camera firmware, or the editing software that last saved the file.
Sources and how this was verified
Tag IDs and encodings are taken from the CIPA DC-007-Translation (Exif 3.0) and ISO/IEC 21222-1 specifications. The privacy rating is our own editorial judgement, based on what each field can uniquely identify. Every entry in this reference is checked against real files produced by the cameras, phones and editors we test with.
- CIPA DC-007-Translation 2019 (Exif 3.0) — tag identifiers and IFD structure
- ISO/IEC 21222-1:2015 — data element registration
- Adobe XMP Specification (2024) — XMP packet properties
- IPTC IIM 4.2 — news/photo metadata field numbers
See our editorial and review policyfor how we test, rate and correct these entries. Found an error? Tell us.
Related EXIF tags
The specific camera or phone model, such as "iPhone 15 Pro" or "Canon EOS R6 Mark II". Narrower than the make and more identifying.
The exact moment the shutter fired, down to the second. It is one of the most revealing tags on a photo and one of the most frequently leaked.
Fields that can contain your real name or legal entity. These are the tags that turn a photo from anonymous into attributable.
A copyright statement, sometimes including a year, a name and a URL. It is a deliberate attribution and it is not always wanted on a shared photo.
Software FAQ
Common questions about the EXIF software tag, its values and its privacy implications.
What does the Software tag in EXIF mean?
It identifies the application that last wrote the file. Unedited photos show the camera firmware string, for example "Apple iOS" or a Canon firmware version. Edited photos show the editor.
Does EXIF Software reveal what editing software I use?
Yes. It usually names the program and often the version, such as "Adobe Photoshop 25.0 (Windows)". The XMP packet can add further detail through xmp:CreatorTool.
Cite this reference
If you are writing about the EXIF software tag, you are welcome to link to this entry. It is maintained, versioned and reviewed on a published schedule.
“EXIF Software (0x0131 Software), freexifdata.com EXIF Tag Reference, reviewed October 20, 2026.”