Fix Snapchat Memories Missing Location Data
Restore missing GPS coordinates from your Snapchat export. Fix map views and enable location search in Apple Photos, Google Photos, and all gallery apps.
Why Snapchat Export Removes GPS Coordinates
When you request your data from Snapchat and download the memories archive, all GPS location information is completely removed from your photo and video files. This is a known issue that affects everyone who exports their Snapchat data. Even though you originally took those photos with location services turned on, the exported files come back with no GPS coordinates embedded in the EXIF metadata. This means your memories won't show up on maps in Apple Photos, Google Photos won't let you search by location, and you lose all the geographic context of where your favorite moments happened.
Map View Won't Work in Apple Photos or Google Photos
Your Snapchat memories won't display on the map view in Apple Photos or Google Photos because the files are missing embedded GPS EXIF metadata. The location data exists in memories_history.json, but photo apps can't read it from there—they need GPS coordinates written directly into each file's metadata.
Can't Search Photos by Location or Place
Try searching for 'photos taken in Paris' or 'memories from Hawaii' and you'll get zero results. Without GPS latitude and longitude embedded in the file metadata, location-based search simply doesn't work, even though you know exactly where you took those photos.
Lost All Context About Where Memories Were Captured
Your vacation photos, travel memories, and special moments lose their geographic story. You can't remember which beach that sunset was from, or which city you were in when you captured that perfect street photo. The 'where' becomes just as lost as if you never recorded it.
Location Data Trapped in JSON File
Here's the frustrating part: Snapchat does save your GPS coordinates, but only in the memories_history.json text file. Photo gallery apps like Apple Photos, Google Photos, and Adobe Lightroom can't read JSON files—they need standard EXIF GPS tags embedded directly in the image and video files.
How to Restore GPS Location to Snapchat Memories
Our desktop application solves the Snapchat location problem by reading your memories_history.json file, extracting the GPS latitude, longitude, and altitude data for each photo and video, and then writing that information directly into the file's EXIF metadata using the standard GPS tags that every photo app expects. This process is called geotagging, and once it's done, your Snapchat export will work exactly like photos taken with your phone's regular camera app.
After restoring the missing GPS coordinates to your Snapchat memories, you'll immediately see them appear on map views, location search will start working, and apps like Apple Photos and Google Photos can automatically organize your memories by the places you visited. The best part? We only modify the metadata—your actual photos and videos remain untouched with zero quality loss.
• Searching by location returns nothing
• Apps can't organize memories by place
• No way to find photos from specific trips
✓ Searchable: "Hawaii" or "Waikiki" works
✓ Auto-organized in "Hawaii 2024" album
✓ Shows exact location on interactive map
Benefits of Restoring GPS to Snapchat Export
Fix Map View in Apple Photos & Google Photos
Once GPS coordinates are embedded into your Snapchat export files, they'll instantly appear on the map view with pins showing exactly where each memory was captured. Perfect for visualizing your travels and reliving vacation moments geographically.
Enable Location-Based Search for Snapchat Memories
After restoring GPS metadata, you can finally search 'photos in Hawaii' or 'videos from New York' and get results. Location search works across Apple Photos, Google Photos, and Windows Photos once the EXIF GPS tags are properly embedded.
Automatic Place-Based Photo Albums
Apple Photos and Google Photos automatically create smart albums organized by location once GPS data is restored. You'll see albums like 'Paris Trip 2024' or 'California Memories' without any manual work—the apps detect the embedded coordinates and group photos by proximity.
Reverse Geocoding: Coordinates to Place Names
Photo apps convert GPS latitude/longitude into readable place names. Instead of seeing '48.8566° N, 2.3522° E', you'll see 'Paris, France'. This makes browsing and searching your Snapchat memories much more intuitive and human-friendly.
Interactive Travel Timeline with Maps
Visualize your Snapchat memories on a chronological map showing your journey across different locations over months or years. Gallery apps can display your travel routes and show when you were at each place, creating a complete geographic story of your memories.
Preserve Altitude Data for Mountain & Adventure Photos
When Snapchat's metadata includes altitude information (common for hiking, skiing, and mountain photos), we embed that into the EXIF GPSAltitude tag. You can see the elevation where each memory was captured—great for adventure photography and outdoor memories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't my Snapchat export include location data?
Even if you captured memories with location enabled, Snapchat strips GPS coordinates from exported files. The location data exists in the memories_history.json but isn't embedded in the photo and video files themselves.
How do you add location to Snapchat photos?
Our app reads the latitude and longitude from your memories_history.json file and writes GPS EXIF tags directly into each photo and video. This includes GPS coordinates, altitude (if available), and location timestamp.
Will map views work after adding location?
Yes! Once GPS coordinates are embedded, Apple Photos, Google Photos, and other gallery apps will display your photos on maps, enable location-based search, and organize by place.
What if some memories don't have location data?
Not all Snapchat memories include location - it depends if location services were enabled when captured. Our app handles this intelligently, only adding GPS data where it's available in the JSON.
Can I edit or adjust GPS coordinates?
Yes. The app includes a preview mode where you can see which files have location data. You can also manually adjust coordinates or remove location from specific files if desired.
Is this compatible with all photo apps?
Absolutely. We write standard GPS EXIF tags (GPSLatitude, GPSLongitude, etc.) that work with every app that supports location metadata: Apple Photos, Google Photos, Adobe Lightroom, and more.
How to fix Snapchat memories showing no location in Apple Photos?
This happens because Snapchat export removes GPS metadata from files. Our tool extracts location coordinates from memories_history.json and embeds them back into your photos and videos as EXIF GPS tags, fixing the missing location issue.
Can I geotag Snapchat memories without losing quality?
Yes! Adding GPS metadata writes only to the EXIF header without re-encoding or compressing your photos and videos. The visual quality remains 100% unchanged - we only add location information to the file metadata.
Why can't I search my Snapchat photos by location in Google Photos?
Google Photos requires GPS coordinates embedded in the file's EXIF data to enable location search. Since Snapchat export strips this metadata, you need to restore it from memories_history.json for location search to work.
Ready to Fix Missing Location in Your Snapchat Memories?
Download our free desktop app and restore GPS coordinates from memories_history.json to all your Snapchat export files. Fix map views, enable location search, and let Apple Photos & Google Photos automatically organize your memories by the places you visited.
Get Started Free