JPEG files have GPS metadata stripped at import

Question

When I import images into Lightroom Classic from my phone or SD CARD with GPS metadata in the file Lightroom classic actually deletes the GPS information from the JPG file.
 It makes no difference if you ADD or COPY the image except that ADD will destroy the metadata in the image so it will be forever lost.
 
You can recover the GPS data if you copied the JPG image by copying the file to the lightroom stored location and then reread the metadata from the file.
 
I can't use lightroom mobile which syncs with the GPS metadata intact into lightroom classic because i am often doing this in locations with no WiFi or mobile signal to achieve this and to safe guard the images.
 
I have been complaining about this for a long time. I am now about to dump Adobe as they are incapable of fixing minor bugs in the software. I will wait one more month to see if this simple fix can be achieved before going to ON1 where it works.

dj_paige · Accepted Answer

First, are you applying a Metadata preset at Import that deletes GPS info? Could you have perhaps accidentally turned this on? Please check. Perhaps that is the problem.

Also, photos captured on my phone have a GPS location assigned by the phone, these import properly into my LrC (13.5.1) and Windows 11 and the GPS metadata from the phone appears properly in LrC.

So I think you have jumped to an asbolutely unwarranted conclusion that Adobe is incapable of fixing minor bugs. Most likely, because most people don't see this issue, Adobe does not see this as bug that need to be fixed; they think it is something unique to your LrC. You don't have to like it, you are free to jump to ON1, but I disagree with your statement.

Rikk Flohr_Photography · Answer

[Posted in the wrong forum: Moving to Lightroom Classic.]

Tested:

Lightroom Classic 13.5.1 on Mac OS 14.6.1
Canon 5D Mark IV with GPS Active
Shooting Large JPEGs + Raw

Allow GPS to acquire
Shoot images onto an SD Card
Import jpgs into Lightroom via Copy from the SD Card
4. Interrogate GPS Data in Metadata Panel and the Map Module

Result: JPEGs have location information for altitude, longitude, and latitude. They show up in the proper location in the Map module.

I am unable to reproduce your findings using the steps listed above.

Note:
I have searched your forum posts back to 2009 and found no previous mention of this failure mode.

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