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On an eligible iPhone, open a photo in Photos, tap Edit, then Tools > Clean Up to remove a distracting person or object. Tap, brush over, or circle the area; Clean Up uses Apple Intelligence, so availability depends on your iPhone model, iOS version, language, and region.
Clean Up edits the image, but it is not the same as hiding someone from Memories or deleting the whole photo. Inspect the result, use Undo while editing if needed, or use Reset after saving to undo Clean Up changes.
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Remove a person or object with Clean Up
- Open Photos and select the image.
- Tap Edit, then tap Tools.
- Tap Clean Up.
- Tap, brush over, or circle the person or object you want to remove. Some items may be highlighted automatically.
- If the result is not right, use Undo while editing. Apple also documents Auto, Fast, and High Quality processing choices.
- Tap Done to save. To undo Clean Up changes after saving, use Reset.
Clean Up is intended to remove distractions, but do not assume it will reconstruct every image perfectly. Review the edited area before keeping the change.
Which iPhones have Clean Up?
Apple lists these eligible iPhones for Clean Up:
- iPhone 16 models
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
The iPhone must be running iOS 18.1 or later. Apple Intelligence is not available in all languages or regions, and availability requirements can change. Check Apple’s current requirements if you are unsure whether your device qualifies.
Apple says Clean Up will not currently work on devices purchased in mainland China. It also identifies a restriction for supported devices purchased elsewhere when used in mainland China with an Apple Account set to mainland China.
Clean Up is missing: what to check
If Clean Up does not appear in Photos, check these requirements:
- Confirm that the iPhone is an iPhone 16 model, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max.
- Check that the iPhone is running iOS 18.1 or later.
- Check current Apple Intelligence availability for your language and region.
- Consider whether the device was purchased in mainland China or is being used there with a mainland-China Apple Account region.
Apple’s availability requirements can change, so consult its current requirements guidance if your model and software appear eligible but Clean Up is still missing.
Other ways to handle a person or object
Crop an edge distraction
If the unwanted detail is near the edge, cropping can remove it from the visible composition without reconstructing the background.
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- Open the photo in Photos and tap Edit.
- Tap Crop.
- Adjust the frame to leave the unwanted edge detail outside the composition.
- Tap Done.
Cropping changes the framing; it does not erase an object from the image. It may not work when the person or object is central or the crop removes important context.
Lift a subject instead of removing it
If you want to reuse a person or pet elsewhere, use Photos’ subject-isolation feature. On iOS 16 or later, with an iPhone XS, iPhone XR, or later, touch and hold a clear subject in Photos, then choose Copy, Add Sticker, or Share. This extracts the subject; it does not fill the space left behind in the original photo.
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Hide a person from featured content
Photos’ Don’t Feature a Person control can show someone less often or never in Memories, featured photos, and the Photos widget. It does not remove that person from the photo itself.
Delete the whole photo
Deleting a photo removes the entire image, not just one person or object. Apple says deleted items remain in Recently Deleted for 30 days. If iCloud Photos is enabled, deleting a photo syncs that deletion to the user’s other devices signed in to the same Apple Account.
Which method should you choose?
| What you want | Method | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Remove a distracting person or object from an image | Clean Up | Edits the image on eligible iPhones. |
| Remove something close to the edge | Crop | Changes the framing; it does not reconstruct the background. |
| Reuse a person or pet elsewhere | Lift Subject | Extracts a subject; it does not repair the original photo. |
| See someone less often in featured content | Don’t Feature a Person | Changes what Photos features, not the image itself. |
| Remove the entire image | Delete Photo | Deletes the whole photo; iCloud Photos syncs deletion across devices. |
Protect the original and review edits
Apple says edits made with iCloud Photos are saved across the user’s devices. For an important image, keep an original or work from a duplicate before making extensive changes. If Clean Up does not look right, use Undo while editing or Reset after saving to undo Clean Up changes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
How do I remove a person from a photo on iPhone?
On an eligible iPhone, open the image in Photos, tap Edit > Tools > Clean Up, then tap, brush over, or circle the person. Clean Up availability depends on device, software, language, and region.
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Why don’t I have Clean Up in Photos?
Check that you have an iPhone 16 model, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max running iOS 18.1 or later. Apple Intelligence is not available in all languages or regions, and Apple lists additional restrictions involving mainland China.
Does Don’t Feature a Person remove them from my photo?
No. It tells Photos to show that person less often or never in Memories, featured photos, and the Photos widget. To edit the image itself, use Clean Up on an eligible device.
Does Lift Subject erase the person from the original image?
No. Lift Subject extracts a person, pet, or other clear subject so you can copy or share it elsewhere. It does not fill the subject’s former place in the original photo.
Can I undo Clean Up?
Apple documents Undo while editing and Reset after saving to undo Clean Up changes. Apple also says edits made with iCloud Photos are saved across the user’s devices.
What happens if I delete the photo instead?
Deleting removes the whole photo rather than one person or object. Apple says the photo remains in Recently Deleted for 30 days; with iCloud Photos, deletion syncs to the user’s other devices signed in to the same Apple Account.
The Bottom Line
Use Photos > Edit > Tools > Clean Up to remove a distracting person or object if your iPhone is eligible. Crop an edge distraction, use Lift Subject to extract someone, or choose Don’t Feature a Person to change what Photos highlights; these alternatives do not perform the same edit.
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