The image recognition algorithms of the iPhone have received a substantial improvement with iOS 16. Specifically, we are talking about a feature that allows us to separate the subject from the background in an image or video. Best of all, it doesn’t even have to be taken by the iPhone itself. Do you want to know how to do it?
You no longer have to go through Photoshop every time you want to remove the background from an image. With a single touch, iOS 16 allows you to erase it, leaving only the subject of the photo or video. The result can be shared in the form of a sticker by iMessage, or also saved in your camera roll to give it any other use later. You could even use these cutouts to create your own WhatsApp stickers.
Best of all, the feature is almost magical, and it’s surprising that Apple has made it compatible with the video format as well. Also, there is no need to manually select the subject, nor define its borders. All you have to do is tap on it. Yes, touch it and nothing else. To know how it is done from your iPhone, below we will leave the procedure.
How to remove the background of an image from an iPhone with iOS 16
The way Apple has integrated this feature with iOS 16 is very impressive. Not only can you separate the subject from the images in the Photos app. You can also do it when taking a screenshot, from the Files app, from Safari and many other proprietary Apple applications.
In addition, the way to share the result obtained is extremely simple. Simply, you have to drag it to the desired applicationas if you were moving a document from one window to another on your computer.
If you are ready for the procedure, let’s start:
- Let’s start with the most common way to use the function. You have to open the app Photos on your iPhone with iOS 16, or on your iPad with iPadOS 16. As we discussed above, this feature is also supported in other iPhone apps, but it’s quite likely that the Photos app will be where you use it the most.
- Search for an image or video. Try to make the subject distinguishable from its background. The iPhone is capable of doing an excellent job of recognizing which is which. But for the practical purposes of the tutorial, try to use a sharper, well-lit image.
- The moment has come. When you have your image or video ready (the latter paused and with the subject on screen), just do the following: press and hold on the person, animal or object.
- Your iPhone will emit a slight vibration as it displays ripples over the subject. Done, you already have it selected. Now, you have two options.
- Without taking your finger off the screen, you can drag the image around iOS 16. So, while holding the cutout with one finger, you can navigate the system with the other hand to paste it into an iMessage or WhatsApp conversation, post it to Twitter as an image, save it to Notes as a Photo. The possibilities are almost unlimited.
- The second option, is to drop the subject. Now, a context menu should appear with the option to Copy. Select it, and now you can go anywhere on your iPhone and paste it like you usually do with other items.