ExifCleaner 4.2.1
ExifCleaner 4.2.1 makes the supported-format promise match what the bundled metadata engine can safely process.
Format support
- M4A is now supported. Audio metadata is removed through the same staged, verified publication path used by other media files.
- MKV is no longer accepted. ExifTool can read Matroska metadata but cannot write MKV files, so rejecting the format before processing is the truthful behavior.
- The README now lists the app's exact intake allowlist instead of ExifTool's much broader catalog, and CI prevents that list from drifting from source.
- DOCX remains unsupported.
The patch includes a metadata-bearing M4A fixture, explicit MKV rejection coverage, and installed-artifact M4A smoke coverage.
Known limitations in 4.2.1
No executable release-blocking known gaps are approved for this release; documented format constraints follow below.
Format constraints
- RAF: cleaning is refused and the source is left unchanged because a safe cleaned RAF artifact cannot currently be guaranteed.
- PDF: ExifTool uses reversible updates, so prior metadata may remain recoverable.
- MKV: unsupported because ExifTool does not expose a writable removal path.
- TIFF and AVIF: user-reported partial-removal behavior remains under investigation.
Downloads
| Platform | File |
|---|---|
| Windows portable (recommended) | ExifCleaner.4.2.1.exe
|
| Windows installer | ExifCleaner.Setup.4.2.1.exe
|
| macOS (Apple Silicon) | ExifCleaner-4.2.1-arm64.dmg
|
| macOS (Intel) | ExifCleaner-4.2.1.dmg
|
| Linux (AppImage) | ExifCleaner-4.2.1.AppImage
|
| Linux (Debian/Ubuntu) | exifcleaner_4.2.1_amd64.deb
|
| Linux (Fedora/RHEL) | exifcleaner-4.2.1.x86_64.rpm
|
Verify downloads against the release's SHASUMS256.txt file.
Opening unsigned builds
ExifCleaner remains unsigned. Signing would require publishing the maintainer's verified legal identity; no signed build is being promised.
- macOS 14 and earlier: right-click or Control-click the app, choose Open, then choose Open again.
- macOS 15 and later: open the app once, then use System Settings → Privacy & Security → Open Anyway.
- Windows: if SmartScreen appears, choose More info → Run anyway after verifying the checksum.
- Linux: make the AppImage executable with
chmod +x ExifCleaner-4.2.1.AppImage;.deband.rpmpackages install normally.
Every artifact is built publicly from tagged source by GitHub Actions. ExifCleaner makes no network requests during normal use.
Only download ExifCleaner from the GitHub releases page.
Full changelog: v4.2.0...v4.2.1