How to Remove the Background from an Image on iPhone
You can remove a background on an iPhone without installing an app. Open RemoveBG.cfd in Safari, choose a photo, run the Removal and save the transparent PNG. Recent versions of iOS also let you lift a subject out of a photo from the Photos app. This guide covers both, explains when each is the better choice, and lists the limits to expect on a phone.
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Select Image
Drag & drop your file here, or browse from device.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Open the tool in Safari or another mobile browser
Go to RemoveBG.cfd. The tool runs in the browser, so there is nothing to install and no account to create. Use a recent version of iOS, because the model uses WebAssembly and needs a reasonably modern browser.
Choose a photo from your library
Tap the select button and pick a photo from your library or take a new one. JPG, PNG and WebP files are accepted, up to 15MB and 4096 pixels per side. Photos from recent iPhones can be larger than that, so if one is rejected, resize or export a smaller copy first.
Wait for the first Removal
The first Removal takes longer because the model has to download once. Keep the page open and stay on a stable connection. After that the model is cached by your browser, so later Removals start faster.
Check the Cutout
Drag the before and after slider and try the white, black and checkerboard previews. Look closely at hair, fingers and thin edges, since a small screen hides problems that appear when the image is enlarged.
Save the transparent PNG
Tap download, then save the file to Files or Photos. Use PNG when you want to keep transparency. If you send the image through an app that converts it to JPG, the transparent area may turn white or black.
Built-in Photos option versus a browser tool
Recent versions of iOS let you touch and hold the subject of a photo in the Photos app to lift it out, then copy it or drop it into another app. That is quick when you only need to paste a subject into a message or a document on the same phone. The exact steps and availability depend on your iOS version and device, so check Apple's current instructions.
A browser tool is useful when you want a file. You get a transparent PNG you can keep, send from any device, or place into a design, and you can compare before and after and preview on different backdrops. It also works the same way on other phones and on a computer.
What to expect on a phone
The model runs on your device, so speed depends on your phone. Older iPhones can be slow or run low on memory with a large photo. If the page reloads or the Removal fails, close other tabs and try a smaller copy of the photo.
The first Removal downloads the model, which is a large file, so a Wi-Fi connection is kinder to your data plan. Once it is cached, you can remove more backgrounds without downloading it again.
Taking a better photo for the Removal
Light the subject evenly and avoid strong shadows falling across it. Place the subject against a backdrop that differs in color from the subject, and keep the whole subject inside the frame. Tap to focus on the subject so its edges are sharp.
Avoid heavy filters before the Removal. A filter that changes colors or adds grain can blur the line between the subject and the background.
Using the Cutout afterwards
A transparent PNG can be placed over any color or photo in a design app, added to a slide, or used for a profile picture. If a social app fills the transparent area with a solid color, add your own background first and export a normal image.
Keep the original photo as well. If you want a different crop or a cleaner edge later, you can run the Removal again.
- Use Wi-Fi for the first Removal, because the model downloads once.
- Close other tabs if the page reloads or the Removal fails on an older iPhone.
- Zoom in on hair and fingers before you save the PNG.
- Save as PNG, and avoid apps that convert the file to JPG if you need transparency.
- Lift the subject in Photos for quick pasting, and use the tool when you need a file.
Finish the image
Free tools for the next step, in your browser. See all image tools