How to geo tag your photos and save them as jpegs

Geo-tagging photos

MAC Trade Services will require specific photographs to be geo-tagged and timestamped as part of its delivery of energy efficiency activities across the state-based schemes.

These photographs are critical to ensure that these activities were carried out by the approved installers at the date and time associated with the installation and is verified by both MAC Trade Services and Regulators to safeguard these Schemes and Programs.

Our systems do not support HEIC files, where required please ensure to upload jpg files.

Geotagging photos on an iPhone

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Geo-tagging photos on an iPhone is easy. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Enable Location Services

  1. Open Settings: Go to the Settings app.
  2. Privacy & Security: Tap on Privacy & Security.
  3. Location Services: Make sure Location Services is turned on.

Step 2: Allow Location Access for the Camera

  1. Camera: Scroll down and select Camera from the list of apps.
  2. Location Access: Ensure that While Using the App is selected for location access.

Step 3: Take Photos with Geo-Tagging

  1. Open Camera App: Launch the Camera app.
  2. Capture Photos: When you take a photo, the GPS coordinates will automatically be recorded if location services are enabled.

Step 4: Verify Geo-Tagging

  1. Photos App: Open the Photos app and select a photo.
  2. Info: Tap the i (info) icon at the bottom to view photo details.
  3. Location Data: You should see the location where the photo was taken, along with a map if available.

Additional Tips

  • iCloud Photos: If you use iCloud Photos, your geo-tagged photos will sync across your devices.
  • Privacy Considerations: Be cautious about sharing photos with location data if privacy is a concern.
  • Editing Locations: You can edit or add locations in the Photos app using third-party apps if needed.

That’s it! Your photos will now have location data embedded.

Geotagging photos on an Android phone

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Geo-tagging photos on an Android phone is a straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Enable Location Services

  1. Open Settings: Go to your phone’s Settings app.
  2. Location: Tap on Location.
  3. Turn On Location: Ensure that location services are enabled.

Step 2: Allow Location Access for the Camera

  1. Apps: In Settings, go to Apps or Apps & notifications.
  2. Camera: Find and select your camera app from the list.
  3. Permissions: Tap on Permissions and ensure Location is set to Allow.

Step 3: Take Photos with Geo-Tagging

  1. Open Camera App: Launch your camera app.
  2. Capture Photos: When you take a photo, the GPS coordinates will automatically be recorded if location services are enabled.

Step 4: Verify Geo-Tagging

  1. Gallery App: Open your gallery app and select a photo.
  2. Details/Info: Look for an option like Details, Info, or an ‘i’ icon to view the photo’s metadata.
  3. Location Data: Check for GPS coordinates or a map view that shows where the photo was taken.

Additional Tips

  • Google Photos: If you use Google Photos, the app can automatically show the location on the map for geo-tagged photos.
  • Privacy: Be mindful of privacy when sharing photos with location data attached.
  • Manual Tagging: If you want to add or edit locations later, you can use photo editing apps that allow you to add geo-tags.

That’s it! Now your photos will have location data embedded.

How to save your photos as JPEGs

How to ensure an iPhone Saves Photos in JPEG Format (for most scenarios)

By default, iPhones capture photos in HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) when using the standard camera app. HEIF provides better compression, meaning it results in smaller file sizes without compromising much on image quality. However, you can change this behavior so your iPhone saves photos in JPEG format:

How to Change to JPEG for Photos:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap on Camera.
  3. Tap on Formats under the Camera settings.
  4. Under the "Camera Capture" section, select Most Compatible.
    • Most Compatible ensures that your iPhone saves photos in JPEG and videos in H.264 (as opposed to the more efficient formats like HEIF and HEVC).
    • This option may result in larger file sizes compared to the High Efficiency setting, but your photos will be in JPEG format.

With this setting enabled, any new photos you take using the Camera app will be saved as JPEG files.

JPEGs on an Android phone

Most Android phones, especially those running recent versions of Android, save photos in JPEG format by default. However, some newer Android phones (such as those from Google, Samsung, and other manufacturers) may save photos in the HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) for better compression and smaller file sizes.

To make sure your phone saves photos as JPEG instead of HEIF, follow these steps:

For Google Pixel and Stock Android (Android 11 or later)

  1. Open the Camera app on your phone.
  2. Tap on the Settings icon (gear icon) in the top-left or top-right corner of the screen.
  3. Scroll down and look for the "Image quality" or "File format" option.
    • On some devices, this might be under Advanced settings.
  4. Ensure the JPEG format is selected. If it’s set to HEIF, change it to JPEG.

For Samsung Galaxy Phones (One UI)

  1. Open the Camera app on your Samsung phone.
  2. Tap the Settings icon (gear icon) in the top-left corner.
  3. Scroll down and look for "Save pictures as" or "Picture format" (under Camera settings).
  4. Select JPEG from the options.

For Other Android Phones

The process is generally similar on other Android devices, though the exact names of the settings may vary based on the manufacturer and version of Android. Look for settings related to "Image format", "Picture format", or "Save pictures as" in your Camera app settings and select JPEG.