On an iPhone or iPad with Apple Photos’ Clean Up tool, open the photo, tap Edit, choose Clean Up, then brush over the object you want gone.
What you need
- An iPhone or iPad running a recent iOS version with Clean Up support – this isn’t available on every device or iOS version
- About one minute
What Clean Up actually does
Like similar tools, Clean Up fills the area with a plausible guess based on what’s around it. It’s meant for stray background clutter, not for anything where the exact original detail matters.
How to remove the object
- Open the photo in Photos and tap Edit.
- Tap the Clean Up icon.
- Brush your finger over the object you want removed – Photos may also suggest some objects automatically with a yellow outline.
- Tap the checkmark to apply the change.
- Tap Done to save.
Check the area blends in
The object should be gone, with the filled-in area blending into its surroundings rather than looking like an obvious smudge.
If Clean Up isn’t available
If Clean Up isn’t available on your device, it needs specific hardware and iOS support that not every iPhone has. Google Photos’ Magic Eraser works the same way and is available more widely, on both Android and iPhone.
Next step
If you’d rather crop the distraction out instead of removing it, see Crop a group photo without cutting anyone off.
Sources and date checked
Apple Support, checked 22 September 2026.