Open the photo in Google Photos, tap Edit, then Tools, then Magic Eraser – tap the object it suggests removing, or circle an unwanted object yourself.
What you need
- The Google Photos app on Android or iPhone (Magic Eraser is included free, though availability can vary by device)
- About one minute
What Magic Eraser actually does
Magic Eraser fills the removed area with a plausible guess based on the surroundings. That’s fine for a stray bin or a stranger in the background, but don’t use it on anything where the exact original detail matters.
How to remove the object
- Open the photo in the Google Photos app and tap Edit.
- Open Tools and choose Magic Eraser.
- Tap a suggested object, or circle an unwanted object yourself with your finger.
- Wait while the app fills in the area.
- Save a copy.
Check the filled area looks plausible
The object should be gone, and the filled-in area should look plausible at normal size. Zoom in to check for an obvious smear or repeated texture pattern.
If Magic Eraser isn’t available
Magic Eraser isn’t offered on every phone or account – Google limits some AI editing features by device and region. If it’s not available to you, try Apple Photos’ Clean Up tool on an iPhone, or Adobe Express’s object removal tool, instead.
Next step
If you’re on an iPhone with Apple Photos’ own tool, see Remove a background object with Apple Photos’ Clean Up tool.
Sources and date checked
Google Photos Help Centre, checked 22 September 2026.