Photo Cutout in iOS: Tips & How to Use

To use photo cutout in iOS on an iPhone, press and hold on the subject of a photo until a white glow appears, then tap “Copy” or “Share.” This works in the Photos app and in Safari, Messages, and other apps that display images. The feature is available on iPhone models with an A12 Bionic chip or later running iOS 16 or newer.

What Is Photo Cutout?

Photo cutout is a built-in iOS feature that separates the main subject of a photo from its background using on-device machine learning. Apple introduced it in 2022 with iOS 16, and it works entirely on your iPhone—no internet connection is needed. The system recognizes people, animals, objects, and even complex shapes like hair or fur, then creates a transparent-background image you can copy, share, or save as a sticker.

Unlike traditional background removal apps that require you to trace edges manually, photo cutout is automatic. The feature is part of the Visual Look Up framework, which also powers features like identifying landmarks and plants in photos. Because processing happens on the device, your photos are never uploaded to a server for this task.

How to Use Photo Cutout on iPhone

The basic gesture works in any app that displays a photo. Here are the exact steps:

Open a photo in the Photos app, or find an image in Safari, Messages, Mail, or Files.
Press and hold on the subject (the person, animal, or object you want to cut out).
Wait for a white or glowing outline to appear around the subject—this indicates the cutout is ready.
Lift your finger, then tap Copy to paste it into another app, or tap Share to send it via AirDrop, Messages, Mail, or save it as an image.

If you want to save the cutout as a standalone image with a transparent background, tap Copy, then open the Freeform app (or any app that supports transparent images) and paste it. From there, you can export it as a PNG. Alternatively, in the Photos app, tap the share sheet and choose Save Image—this saves the cutout as a new photo with a transparent background (viewable in apps that support transparency).

Tips for Getting a Clean Cutout

Photo cutout works best when the subject is clearly separated from the background. To improve your results:

Choose photos with contrast: A subject that stands out against a plain or blurred background is easier for the system to isolate.
Avoid busy backgrounds: If the background has similar colors or textures to the subject, the cutout may include unwanted parts.
Make sure the subject is in focus: Blurry or low-resolution images may produce a jagged edge.
Use the right lighting: Natural, even lighting helps the system detect edges accurately.
Try multiple photos: If one cutout looks messy, try another shot with a different angle or background.

You can also adjust the cutout after it’s created. In the Photos app, after pressing and holding, drag the cutout slightly to see it separate from the background. You can then use the pinch gesture to resize it before copying or sharing—this is handy when you want to place the cutout into a document or message at a specific size.

Where You Can Use Photo Cutout

Photo cutout is not limited to the Photos app. You can use it in any app that displays images and supports the long-press gesture. Common places include:

Safari: Press and hold on an image on a webpage to cut out the subject.
Messages: Cut out a subject from a photo you receive or send, then paste it into a conversation.
Mail: Copy a cutout and paste it into an email body.
Notes: Add a cutout to a note by copying and pasting.
Freeform: Paste cutouts onto a canvas and arrange them freely.
Third-party apps: Many apps like Pages, Keynote, and even social media apps support pasting transparent images.

You can also turn a cutout into a sticker for iMessage. After copying, go to Messages, tap the App Store icon, then tap the “+” to create a new sticker from your cutout. This adds it to your sticker collection for repeated use.

Common Problems and Fixes

If photo cutout isn’t working, here are the most likely causes and solutions:

Unsupported device: The feature requires an iPhone XS or later (A12 Bionic chip). Older models won’t show the cutout effect.
iOS version: Make sure your iPhone is updated to iOS 16 or later. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check.
Subject not detected: If no glow appears, the system may not recognize a clear subject. Try a different photo with a more distinct subject.
Copy option missing: If you don’t see “Copy” in the menu, try pressing and holding longer or with more pressure. On some images, the system may only offer “Share.”
Cutout includes background: This happens when the subject blends with the background. Use a photo with better contrast.
Cutout is low resolution: The cutout inherits the resolution of the original image. If the original is small, the cutout will be too.

If the feature still doesn’t work, restart your iPhone. A simple restart often resolves temporary software glitches.

Photo Cutout vs. Third-Party Apps

Photo cutout is free and built into iOS, but it has limitations compared to dedicated background-removal apps. Here’s a quick comparison:

Ease of use: Photo cutout is a single gesture; apps like Remove.bg or Photoshop Express require uploading or opening the image in the app.
Privacy: Photo cutout processes everything on-device. Many third-party apps upload your photo to a server, which raises privacy concerns.
Edge quality: For simple subjects with clear edges, photo cutout is excellent. For complex edges like hair, professional apps may offer more refined algorithms and manual touch-up tools.
File format: Photo cutout saves as PNG with transparency. Some apps export as JPG (which flattens the background) or offer multiple formats.
Bulk processing: Photo cutout works on one image at a time. Apps like Background Eraser allow batch processing.

For most casual users, photo cutout is sufficient. If you need pixel-perfect edges or batch processing, consider a dedicated app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use photo cutout on a photo I take with the camera?

Yes. Any photo in your Photos library, including ones you just took, can be used. Open the photo, press and hold on the subject, and the cutout will appear.

Does photo cutout work on videos?

No. Photo cutout only works on still images. However, you can pause a video and take a screenshot, then use the cutout on that screenshot.

Can I remove the background from a cutout after I save it?

Once you save a cutout as a PNG, the background is already transparent. If you saved it as a JPG (which doesn’t support transparency), you’ll need to use a third-party app to remove the background again.

Why doesn’t photo cutout work on some photos?

The system needs to detect a clear subject. If the photo is too dark, blurry, or has a cluttered background, the cutout may not trigger. Try a different photo with a distinct subject.

Can I use photo cutout on a photo from the web?

Yes. In Safari, press and hold on an image to see if the cutout effect appears. Not all web images will work, especially if they are low resolution or have complex backgrounds.

Is photo cutout available on iPad?

Yes, photo cutout works on iPad models with an A12 Bionic chip or later, running iPadOS 16 or newer. The gesture is the same: press and hold on the subject.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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