How to Remove a Photo Background on iPhone
iPhones running iOS 17 or newer can remove a photo background with one tap. Here's how to use this built-in Photos feature.
3 min read · 4 steps · Checked April 2026
Step 1. Open the Photo in the Photos App
Open the Photos app and find the image you want to work with. Tap the photo to view it in full screen.
Step 2. Press and Hold the Subject
Press and hold your finger on the main subject of the photo — the person, pet, or object you want to keep. Hold for about one second. You will see a glowing white outline appear around the subject, and a small menu will pop up.
Quick Tip
Quick Tip: If the outline does not appear, try pressing on a part of the subject that has a strong contrast with the background, like a bright area next to a dark background.
Step 3. Tap Copy or Share
From the small menu that appears, tap Copy to copy the cut-out subject to your clipboard. You can then open Messages, Notes, or any other app and paste it directly. Alternatively, tap Share to save it or send it somewhere.
Step 4. Save as a Sticker (iOS 17 and newer)
On iPhones running iOS 17 or newer, you can tap Add Sticker from the pop-up menu. This saves the cut-out as a sticker you can use in Messages. To use your sticker in a message, tap the sticker button (a smiley face icon) in the message text field.
Quick Tip
Quick Tip: You can also try this in Safari — press and hold an image on a webpage and look for "Copy Subject" in the menu.
If your iPhone is running iOS 17 or newer, it has a built-in tool that can separate the main subject of a photo from its background in seconds. You do not need any extra apps or subscriptions — the feature is built right into the Photos app and the photo viewer.
This is called background removal or "lift subject." Once you have the subject cut out, you can copy it and paste it onto a different background in another photo, use it in a text message, or save it as a sticker. Many people use this to create personalized images — putting a photo of a pet or family member onto a fun background, for example.
The feature works best when there is a clear difference between the subject and the background. Photos with a busy background may not cut out perfectly, but the results are often surprisingly good straight away.
You need an iPhone running iOS 17 or later. You can check your iOS version by going to Settings > General > About. If your phone is older than an iPhone XR, it may not support this feature even with the latest software.
The entire process takes only a couple of taps, and the original photo is never changed — your original is always saved. The cut-out subject is copied to your clipboard or saved as a separate file, leaving the original photo untouched.
Official sources
- Apple Support — support.apple.com
- iPhone User Guide — support.apple.com
- AppleCare contact options — support.apple.com
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