How to Remove the Background From a Picture on iPhone

Not long ago, removing the background from a photo meant using desktop software or downloading complicated third-party apps. With recent iOS updates, that is no longer necessary. Your iPhone can now remove backgrounds from pictures and even erase unwanted objects using built-in tools, all in just a few taps.

These features make background removal quick, accurate, and easy for everyday users. And if you need cleaner edges, transparent images, or more professional results, there are still apps that can help you take things further. This post details how to remove the background from photos on an iPhone.

Why Remove the Background from an Image?

When you want to use an image in a specific way rather than keep it as a full scene, the background often adds little value and can even get in the way. In such cases, removing the background makes sense because it lets you:

• Isolate a person or object so it stands out clearly.
• Create profile pictures with a clean and distraction-free look.
• Prepare product images for listings, catalogs, or promotions.
• Reuse the same subject across multiple designs or platforms.
• Place images neatly into documents, slides, or presentations.
• Maintain a consistent visual style across posts and projects.

Remove Background from Picture on iPhone Using Built-in Tools

Apple offers multiple built-in options that let you remove photo backgrounds directly on your iPhone, without installing third-party apps. These tools can automatically detect and isolate subjects, making it easy to copy, share, or reuse images across apps.

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Using the Photos App

Starting with iOS 16, Apple lets you lift the main subject from a photo or video frame, separate it from the background, and then copy or share it across other apps and documents. All of this can be done directly within the Photos app, without requiring a third-party app. Here’s how you can:

1. Open the image in the Photos app.
2. Tap and hold the subject until a glowing outline appears around it.
3. Now, tap the Share button in the contextual menu.
4. Next, tap the Save Image button on the share sheet.
   

In addition to isolating subjects from their background, Apple also offers tools like Clean Up in the Photos app for removing specific unwanted objects, which can be useful when you do not need to remove the entire background.

Using the Files App Quick Action Menu

While the Photos app does the job well, the Files app offers a less obvious but more practical background-removal tool. The Files app includes a dedicated “Remove Background” tool that typically produces a transparent PNG, making it suitable for product images and documents, and for reuse across platforms.

1. Save the original image to the Files app.
2. Tap and hold the image until a pop-up menu appears.
3. Now, tap Quick Actions, then Remove Background.
4. Once done, the Files app will automatically separate the subject from the image and save it as a separate image in the same folder.
   

Note

You can also remove backgrounds from multiple images at once using the Files app.

Using a Siri Shortcut

You’re missing out on a lot if you still don’t use Apple’s Shortcuts app. For example, you can use it to automate image background removal. With the correct shortcut, the app can combine image input with the system’s subject-isolation feature and save the results directly to the Photos app.

To do so, first add the “Remove Background from Photo” shortcut to the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.

Once done, you can simply activate Siri and ask “Remove Background from Photo,” select the image you want to process, and the shortcut will automatically remove the background and save the resulting image to the Photos app.

Using the Apple Pages App

If you want more control than the Photos and Files app offers without installing third-party tools, Apple Pages includes a simple built-in background-removal tool. It lets you remove backgrounds directly from an image and manually refine the selection if the automatic result is not perfect.

1. Open the Pages app and tap the Start Writing button.
2. Tap the + button, then select Photo or Video on the subsequent menu.
3. Select the image you want to process.
   
4. Now, tap the Paintbrush icon → Image.
5. Tap Remove Background.
6. If you are satisfied with the result, tap Done.
   
7. Otherwise, you can refine the selection manually by touching and dragging the part of the image you want to make transparent.
8. Once done, tap the image once, then tap Copy in the contextual menu.
9. You can now paste the background-removed image in the Files app, use it in other apps, or place it in documents or designs.

Third-Party Apps to Remove Backgrounds from Images

While your iPhone’s built-in tools can remove backgrounds quickly, they often struggle with complex details such as shadows, hair, or busy backgrounds. In such cases, third-party image-editing apps and services deliver more accurate results and greater control over the final output.

Popular options include:

• Adobe Express: For quick AI-powered background removal with the ability to instantly replace or customize the background.
• remove.bg: For fast and accurate automatic background removal, especially for portraits and product images.
• Canva: For users who want background removal combined with ready-made templates and drag-and-drop design tools.
• Adobe Photoshop: For advanced users who need precise control over edges, hair, and transparency.

Tips for Achieving the Best Results

Keep these practical points in mind to get cleaner and more accurate background removal results:

• Use photos with clear subject separation, where the subject stands out from the background
• Avoid busy or cluttered backgrounds when possible, as they make edge detection harder
• Good lighting improves accuracy, especially around hair and fine details
• Use built-in tools for quick edits and switch to third-party apps for complex images
• Always review edges and refine them if the tool allows manual adjustments.
• Export images as PNG when you need a transparent background.

Background Removal Made Simple…

Apple has turned background removal into an everyday feature rather than a specialist skill. For most images, the built-in tools are fast, private, and good enough. When quality matters more than speed, third-party apps and professional editors fill the gap.

Knowing which tool to use and when is what makes the difference between a quick cutout and a polished final image.

Have you tried removing photo backgrounds on your iPhone yet? Share which method works best for you in the comments.

Also read:

• How to use Live Text on iPhone or iPad
• How to reverse image search on iPhone and iPad