How To Erase People From Pictures On iPhone

Ever looked at a picture you loved but found it just wasn’t perfect? Perhaps there’s an extra person who doesn’t belong, or maybe a passerby who’s ruined the moment. Editing photos has come a long way, and with the right tools, you can fix these imperfections with just a few taps. If you’ve ever wondered how to erase people from pictures on your iPhone, you’re in the right place.

Removing unwanted people from photos is easier than ever. You don’t need to be a professional photo editor to achieve stunning results. The iPhone has built-in tools and third-party apps that can help you remove distractions and create cleaner, more polished images. Let’s walk through how you can do this effortlessly.

Why You Might Want To Erase People From Pictures

Whether it’s a random stranger in the background or a group shot where someone doesn’t look quite right, there are many reasons you might want to remove someone from a photo. Sometimes, it’s simply about focusing on the main subjects in the shot. Other times, you might need to remove an object or person that wasn’t meant to be in the frame in the first place.

When you remove people from pictures, it’s not just about clearing out distractions—it’s about getting your perfect shot without needing to retake it. The beauty of having an iPhone is the ability to use technology to help you clean up your photos on the go.

Built-in iPhone Tools to Help You Remove People

Before diving into third-party apps, let’s look at the built-in options available on your iPhone. These tools may not be as advanced as some apps, but they can still help with basic editing.

Using the Markup Tool in Photos App

One of the simplest ways to erase people from pictures on iPhone is by using the Markup tool. It’s not perfect for intricate edits, but for small mistakes, this can be quick and efficient.

  1. Open Photos: Go to the Photos app and open the picture you want to edit.
  2. Select Markup: Tap on Edit in the upper-right corner, then select Markup from the options below.
  3. Use the Eraser Tool: Choose the eraser tool from the Markup options and adjust the size based on what you need to remove.
  4. Erase the People: Carefully trace over the person or object you want to remove. You can erase part of a person or small background items, but keep in mind that this doesn’t have the power of more advanced tools.

While the Markup tool is convenient, it’s best for minor adjustments. If you need to remove larger elements or get more precise, you’ll want to use more advanced apps.

Third-Party Apps for Erasing People From Pictures

If you’re looking for a more polished finish, there are several apps that can do a much better job at erasing people from photos. These apps offer more control and precision, making them great for situations where you need more than just basic edits.

1. TouchRetouch

TouchRetouch is one of the most popular apps for erasing unwanted elements from photos, including people. It’s specifically designed for this purpose, and the results are often impressive.

Here’s how to use it:

  1. Download the App: Install TouchRetouch from the App Store (it’s a paid app, but worth the investment if you do a lot of editing).
  2. Import Your Photo: Open the app and import the picture you want to edit.
  3. Use the Brush Tool: Select the brush tool, and paint over the people or objects you want to remove.
  4. Hit Go: Once you’ve selected everything, hit the Go button, and the app will remove the unwanted elements and fill in the background seamlessly.
  5. Fine-Tune: After the initial removal, you can use the Clone Stamp tool to adjust any imperfections.

TouchRetouch makes the process quick and easy, providing an intuitive interface for even beginner users. It’s highly rated for its ability to erase people and other distractions smoothly.

2. Snapseed

Snapseed, developed by Google, is another powerful photo editing app for iPhone. While it’s mainly used for general editing, it includes a healing tool that can help remove people from pictures.

Here’s how to use Snapseed:

  1. Download Snapseed: Get it from the App Store.
  2. Open the Photo: Import the picture you need to fix.
  3. Use the Healing Tool: Tap on Tools, then select Healing. This tool allows you to paint over unwanted elements in the photo.
  4. Remove the Person: Simply tap on the area you want to remove, and Snapseed will attempt to fill it in based on the surrounding pixels.
  5. Adjust the Result: You might need to tweak the edges or use the tool a few times to get the perfect result.

Snapseed is a great option because it’s free, easy to use, and offers other advanced features for overall photo enhancement.

3. Adobe Photoshop Express

For those who are familiar with Adobe’s powerful editing tools, Photoshop Express brings many of the same features to your iPhone. It’s great for those who want more precision and control when removing people from pictures.

Here’s how to use it:

  1. Download Adobe Photoshop Express: Available for free on the App Store, though premium features require a subscription.
  2. Open the Image: Import the photo you want to edit.
  3. Select the Healing Tool: Navigate to Tools, then select the Healing tool.
  4. Brush Over the Person: Use the brush to highlight the person or object you want to remove.
  5. Adjust the Fix: Photoshop Express will automatically remove the selected area and fill in the background.

Photoshop Express offers detailed control over edits and is a fantastic choice for those who need more advanced features.

4. Pixelmator Photo

Pixelmator Photo is another app that stands out for its powerful editing capabilities. It has a wide range of tools, including a Repair Tool, that can help erase people and blend in the background.

Here’s the process:

  1. Download Pixelmator Photo: It’s available on the App Store (it’s a paid app).
  2. Import Your Photo: Open the image you need to edit.
  3. Select the Repair Tool: From the editing options, choose the Repair Tool.
  4. Brush Over the Area: Paint over the person or object you want to remove.
  5. Refine the Result: The app will remove the selected areas, and you can fine-tune it for a seamless result.

Pixelmator Photo is especially good for more intricate edits and larger areas where you need a bit more control.

5. Afterlight

Afterlight is another great photo editing app that lets you remove unwanted objects. While it doesn’t offer as many advanced features as some others, it’s a great tool for basic editing needs.

Here’s how you can use it:

  1. Download Afterlight: Install the app from the App Store.
  2. Import Your Image: Open the picture you want to edit.
  3. Use the Healing Tool: Tap on the Tools section, then choose Healing.
  4. Remove People: Brush over the people or objects you want to erase, and Afterlight will blend the background automatically.

Afterlight is perfect for quick edits without needing to dive into complex tools.

Tips for Better Results

When removing people from photos, the key to a good result is patience and attention to detail. Here are some tips to get the best outcome:

  • Use Smaller Brush Sizes: For detailed areas, use a smaller brush size to ensure more accuracy.
  • Be Careful With Backgrounds: Pay attention to the background when removing people. Some apps do a better job at filling in the space, but you may need to adjust the area for a natural look.
  • Zoom In: Zoom in for finer control, especially when working with small areas or intricate details.
  • Try Multiple Apps: Sometimes, one app might not get the result you want, so try a few different ones to see which works best for your image.

Final Thoughts

Removing people from pictures on your iPhone is no longer a complex task. With the right apps and tools, you can easily erase unwanted elements and make your photos look perfect. Whether you’re cleaning up a vacation photo, removing a photobomber, or just tidying up a group shot, there are plenty of options available. From built-in iPhone tools like Markup to powerful third-party apps like TouchRetouch and Snapseed, your iPhone has everything you need to create flawless images with minimal effort.

By choosing the right app for your needs, you can achieve professional-looking results without being a photo editing expert. So, the next time you find yourself staring at a picture and wishing you could just erase someone, now you know exactly how to make that happen. Happy editing!