Apple has introduced a new feature to remove image background in iOS 16 and iPadOS 16. In this post, I will show how to make the best use of it and how to change and remove image background in iOS 15 or previous versions. The best part, you don’t need to install third-party apps and all these methods are free.
Remove image background with Photos
The new iOS 16’s new feature for removing image background function is one of my favorites. You can use it in a variety of apps, such as Photos, Screenshot, Safari, and the Files app.
If you’re using the Photos app, for example, all you need is a photo with the main subject to use it. You can long-press on the subject that you want to remove the background from and drag it to another app. For iPhones with a home button, you can long-press on the subject and select “Copy” or “Share”.
You may use this method to remove the background from practically any picture you have on iOS 16 or newer versions. As always, Apple has done an excellent job of integrating this functionality throughout all of iOS. To remove a background from an image in Messages, just press and hold it for a short period of time.
When searching for images using Google Image results in Safari, you may tap on any results and select “Copy Subject”. After removing the background, you can drag and drop it anywhere on iOS. For example, you can also use it in iMessage as an iMessage sticker or paste it to iMovie as a new scene.
Change image background with shortcuts
The Remove Image Background action is also available in the Shortcuts app since iOS 16. With it, you can easily create a custom shortcut to change the image background to another image you choose. If you want to do it yourself, you can refer to the video below.
I have made one, so you can also import this Image Background Remover shortcut to your shortcuts collection. Just open this link in Safari and tap Get Shortcut.
You can run this shortcut in the Shortcuts app to select a photo from Photos Library or run it from Share Sheet. Then you can choose another image as the background. You can adjust the subject size, position, and opacity before saving.
If you haven’t updated to iOS 16 yet, you can still use the Shortcuts app to remove image backgound on iPhone or iPad. To work this around, you need to get a free API key. If sounds good to you, you can follow the instructions below to begin.
Step 1. Go to Remove.bg and sign up a free account. Then you can create the API key in your account profile.
Step 2. Get this Change Image Background shortcut. During setup, enter the API key you just created.
Step 3. Run this shortcut and choose a picture from your photo collection to proceed. You may also run it from Share Sheet.
Note: If your select photo is in HEIC format, it will be converted to PNG automatically because this shortcut removes the background from the image in JPG or PNG.
Step 4. After that, you’ll get a preview of the picture without a background. Now you can save it to your Photos Library or overlay it on another image.
Step 5. If you choose to change the background, it will bring up your photo library where you can choose an image as the new background.
Step 6. You’ll see the Image Editor, where you may resize and move the image itself. With the new backdrop in place, you’re ready to save or share your picture.
If you don’t want to get the free API key, you also remove the background from any photo with free online tools.
Online image background remover
Remove.bg is a free online tool that allows you to quickly and easily remove an image’s background. To get started, just go to remove.bg. It requires no login to use it online. I suggest you use Safari to open it, so you can easily save the image without background on your iPhone.
Once you are on the web page, you can tap on Upload Image to select an image from Photo Library, Files app or take a new photo. In a short while, it will give you the image with the removed background. If you are content with the result, you can click Download to save the image without a background.
If you tap on the Edit button on the right top of the image, you will be able to select a different background and erase or restore subjects on the image using a brush.
Final Thoughts
There are many ways to remove an image background from your iPhone. With these 3 methods, you don’t need to use third-party apps. Instead, Apple’s own Photos app or Shortcuts app offers the best results without restrictions.
Now, you have learned how to remove the background from an image. You may also be interested in removing the video background with or without a green screen.