Apple Intelligence users running iOS 18.4 or later can remove unwanted objects and people from their photos directly within the native Photos app using a built-in feature called Clean Up, according to Apple’s official software documentation. The tool utilizes on-device generative models to analyze images, fill in background details, and erase distractions without requiring a separate subscription or third-party software.
Compatible Devices and System Requirements for Clean Up
The Clean Up feature requires specific hardware and software versions to operate. According to Apple, the tool is available on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the entire iPhone 16 lineup, alongside subsequent compatible devices. In the European Union, Apple Intelligence features roll out starting with iOS 18.4, meaning users in Italy and other member states must update their supported devices to that version or later. Users with older iPhone models cannot access the native tool and must rely on alternative photo-editing applications available on the App Store, such as Google Foto or Snapseed.
How to Remove Objects and People on iPhone and Mac
To use Clean Up on a supported iPhone, open the Photos app, select an image, and tap the Edit button marked by three horizontal lines, according to Apple’s instructions. Tapping the Clean Up icon—represented by a small eraser—prompts the system to scan the frame and automatically highlight potential distractions. Users can tap a highlighted element to erase it, paint over an object with a finger, or draw a circle around the target. Pinching the screen with two fingers allows users to zoom in on smaller details for more precise selections. Once the system reconstructs the background space, tapping Done saves the edits. Mac users running macOS Sequoia 15.1 or later on Apple Silicon devices powered by M1 chips or newer can access an identical tool within the desktop version of the Photos app by clicking Edit and selecting Clean Up from the toolbar.
Tips for Achieving Better Editing Results
Because Clean Up relies on generative models, the quality of the output depends heavily on the complexity of the photograph. According to Apple, the tool performs best when an unwanted subject stands out clearly against a simple background, such as a plain wall or an empty beach. Reconstructing complex textures, intricate patterns, or text behind a removed subject can occasionally yield less natural results. Furthermore, passing the tool directly over a person’s face may cause the system to apply a pixelated blur effect rather than a clean reconstruction. Edits made within the app remain non-destructive, meaning users can reopen a modified photo at any time to restore the original image.
Worth a look