Lift the Subject From the Background Of a Photo In iOS 16

[@lifeofwill7794]

i just want to drag it onto another photo in photos why is it so difficult to just have that feature lol

[@Justsayin-p5g]

Me too ..that’s all I want to do 😢

[@savedfaves]

Seems like a no-brainier that Apple shouldn’t have overlooked in the 1.0 version of this feature

[@davionmoquete7143]

@@ClareVenner explain please

[@slewdem2879]

I accidentally did that once and it saved on my photo. I swear I don’t know how I did it.

[@kamreetingle801]

@@ClareVenner it won’t give me the paste option when I try this. Any tips?

[@minnie7453]

if anyone needs this: I was having a hard time getting it to pick out every part of the image I wanted, so I went into the Markup edit option and outlined it with a black line and it worked. :b

[@alisonc8867]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@maypoman2]

You do not necessarily need a third party app to place the subject on another background. I sent the "lifted" subject to my iMac (airdrop, email message, etc.) and then placed it in Pages. You can then select another photo - or a shape to create a black background - and copy the subject on this new background. You could also do this with Keynote. Subjects really "pop out" if you paste them on a black background or another color.

[@victorcarmelo8606]

Glad it works for you but for me too much faff. I import to snapseed, choose double exposure, choose the image I want to superimpose and adjust to suit. Simplies! Photos app should have a double exposure support that way would be simpler.

[@yvonnemaisonette9230]

HI, I was able to lift the subject and insert it into a black background. How do I get rid of the white line that encircles the subject?

[@Jeff_H_the_Guitarist]

Very useful stuff! It’s amazing how far technology has come. I feel for the manufactures of green screens.

[@MaiElizabeth]

Although I already know so many things in iOS 16, I still want to try because most of the time, you would unveil stuffs I didn’t notice or overlook. 'The release to copy' is new to me. Great video Gary. As always.

[@loisskiathitis8926]

Very useful and informative video tutorial today! Thank you, Gary! 👏🏻❤️

[@CraftsmanontheLake]

What an amazing cadre of 'Apple' stuff you've made over time. I've been an Apple user since the early 80's and I find a lot of this useful. A lot of stuff I didn't know. I even find myself watching stuff I do know. Thnx.

[@jennahthrasher6348]

I accidentally found this feature and didn’t know what it did. Thanks great video 😊

[@sheilahalliday2002]

7:01. I thoroughly enjoyed this video , and look forward to playing with all the options

[@alisonc8867]

Can you recommend a photo editing app as I am finding that I want to edit it more.. this feature is great, but has got me wanting more 😀

[@macmost]

Look into Affinity or Pixelmator.

[@gitagh8297]

Thank you so much after selecting the subject how can we have it on black background?

[@TheCornucopiaProject-bd5jk]

Can you create a library of copied objects to use in future projects without having to lift them each time? Is the background always transparent?

[@macmost]

Sure. Use your favorite app to store them (Pages, Notes, Freeform, Preview to save them as files, etc).

[@michaelopp5389]

This is great to pullout a subject/object and drop into a keynote presentation with a colored background.

[@MikeBeltracchi]

You can select/lift an item in your photo, let's say a recliner. When you go to Share, there's an option for Google Lens at the bottom of the list. It will then pull up multiple options with images of where you can buy that exact item and similar ones with prices. I tried it with artwork and it gave me exact and similar matches. The possible uses seem limitless!

[@macmost]

If you see Google Lens in your Share menu it is because some app is adding it there. Probably an app you have from Google, I'd imagine. That isn't part of macOS and others may not see it there.

[@hannakalantar1788]

I just want to thank you so much for making this video. Neither my mom and I knew what the heck we were seeing when we clicked on a photo and saw this feature. We Google it and we found your video. I may sound ignorant but I don’t care, this literally help us know how to use our phone better 😂!!

[@tonynewnham3114]

Ok Thanks, wasn’t sure if older photos were compatible

[@jjmrhomes1630]

Awesome informational video, can you show us how to use that trick on Mac Mini or Macbook? thank you

[@macmost]

That will be part of macOS Ventura. I will when Ventura comes out.

[@jjmrhomes1630]

@@macmost Awesome! Thank you Sir, you Rock!! 🤝 👍🏽 💪🏽 💪🏽 🤝

[@kbr1064]

Excellent instructions. Thnx so much.

[@Texeyevideo]

BTW, one can pause a video and lift off of it as well, sometimes you will have to zoom in but doable.

[@kingfisch]

Had an issue with this. When I would tap and hold it would copy the subject correctly. However, when I tried to use the copy feature, it would only select the entire photo and not just the subject. I tried it both ways several times and I got the same results each time. I also tried it on several photos with the same results. Great video once again!

[@macmost]

Did you see the little special effect of it selecting the subject when you tried to tap and hold to copy?

[@kingfisch]

@@macmost Yes. It acted just like when you tap and hold.

[@macmost]

@@kingfisch Contradictory things there. Do you see the special effect of the subject selection, OR does it behave like a tap and hold did before? Are you viewing the photo, or did you go into edit mode?

[@kingfisch]

@@macmost to clarify, I see the special effect of the subject selection. I see it when I tap and hold. I see it when I press and get the copy/share menu. The only difference is that when I paste the “copy”, it pastes the whole picture, not just the subject. Hopefully that makes it clearer.

[@macmost]

@@kingfisch Interesting. Maybe try n various apps (Photos vs Files, for instance).

[@herbsnhealth4032]

Thank you! I had noticed the feature but couldn’t figure out how to save image

[@kevinshea5819]

Great videos my friend. Concise and to the point. Thanks.

[@TheEricBooth]

I'm loving this new feature in Ventura Beta.

[@darkhorse396]

You need to mention this does not work on all phones w iOS 16. Can’t get it to work on X.

[@dre_allday24]

I just discovered last week that I could select the subject, but I didn’t know what I could do with it. Thank you!

[@JannaBrewer]

Thanks for the info!!

[@ejjordan6063]

Your videos are the best! Always easy to understand! Always helpful!

[@howardlevinger4571]

Great video Gary! Just an observation: I have found that some subjects (like people with spiky hair) don’t paste very well. I believe there are some apps that are able to smooth out rough edges on the cut out subject, but I don’t want to spend money on Photoshop because Apple’s native photo editing system is almost 90% of what Photoshop can do. Also, since this is a new feature I’m having a little difficulty finding many applications for it, despite the fact that it is almost magic. You pointed out, and I think the best application, is the ability to lift a persons face from a photo and put it into their contact record. I am obsessed with putting people’s photos in their contact record because it helps me to remember what they look like when they are just an acquaintance. Thanks again Gary. Looking forward to the next one!

[@benoitheroux6839]

Nice video, weird that we cannot merge two photos when we try to edit an actual photo there is no paste function so we need to use some editing photo app like pixelmater?

[@macmost]

Right. You need an app that allows editing at that level. The Photos app has adjustments and cropping, but not pixel editing like that.

[@TheSharmanova]

I've been playing with this since the update. It's witchcraft!

[@anindyabhattacharya2001]

Thanks sir! Lovely representation ❤

[@vanand312]

Thanks a very useful tutorial.

[@mwheless9530]

Gary, I always enjoy your instructional videos. But, this is one of your best. Thanks

[@genebraaksma]

Why does the cut out image sometimes have a white background and sometimes a black background? When it saves in black the image can be used pasted to another image but with the white background the white background will show in the paste process?

[@macmost]

It should have NO background. But when you paste it into something else, that app or whatever it is may be converting the transparent image to something non-transparent. Where are you pasting it?

[@genebraaksma]

@@macmost I'm saving it and sometimes sending it to my email

[@macmost]

@@genebraaksma How are you saving it, exactly?

[@staceygreen6228]

Mine also does this, every time without fail!

[@victorcarmelo8606]

The way I make a composite with this feature is to grab from a Photos image and use it in Snapseed app. It’s puzzling Apple made this to use with a third party photography app and unable to use it in their own Photos app!

[@PlantBasedPietro]

I find that frustrating. I can now easily copy an image out of a photo on my iPhone but cannot paste into another image. That is my main reason for using this feature and it doesn't work. Ugh!!!!!!

[@asumingseth6427]

I just changed the background of my picture from white to black but I don't know how to go about it again.

[@rajanikantmetri423]

Hello Gary, I recently purchased iPhone 13. Earlier from photos I used to drag and drop an image of person or thing and it used to look like a sticker, but after new update 16.3.1 the drag and drop images looking like a image with white background, that is its simply remove background feature. But I want that image to be as a sticker. Please revoke that feature in iPhone. Please reply. Thank You.

[@LilianWithers]

Hi Gary. I’ve updated my IOS to 16.2.1 and I still can’t get this to work in my photos. When I tap I don’t see that ‘grabbing’ effect and when I keep my finger on photo and move it, the whole photo moves. Can you advise please 🙏🏻

[@macmost]

Try it with another photo, perhaps? Maybe it doesn't see a subject in that one.

[@tomnisbet-v2r]

Great video and have subscribed. However, the touch doesn’t work in every photo often screenshot at the same time. Why is this?

[@macmost]

It depends on the image and whether it can figure out what the subject is. Sometimes it is worth trying again.

[@paulwoods4094]

Cool stuff Gary, thank you very much for sharing!

[@eilidghmacdowell3204]

My iphone cost enough so why doesn't the photoeditor do layers? Great tutorial BTW.

[@Warthog333]

Thank you for this. Good information.

[@dalelacy7341]

I can hold and drag on a subject and get a moving outlining light show also can copy and share. What is this ?

[@thekjub]

Once copied where to put it? Apple did not think. You open photos, image, annotate!!! NO PASTE button in their own ecosystem.

[@macmost]

Photos doesn't do multi-layer or pixel editing like that. So there is no function to paste into. If you are looking to do that kind of editing, you'll need a third-party app. You can always "Edit With" in Photos and choose Preview and then do it there.

[@greebo7857]

Doesn't seem to work with screenshots, at least ones taken on my Mac.

[@macmost]

May be a resolution issue. A screenshot is typically much lower resolution that a photo. Not sure why you would be trying to lift a subject from a screenshot though. I can't imagine the situation.

[@tonynewnham3114]

Thank you, does it have to be a recent photo?

[@macmost]

Recent photo? Not sure what you mean. It has nothing to do with the age of the photo.

[@Greg-fg1rd]

So fun!

[@ibrahemwasti957]

Does this not work for iPhone X? I cant seem to do it even after the update…

[@macmost]

No. "Available on iPhone with A12 Bionic and later" according to Apple. They list which features are supported on which phones as footnotes here: www.apple.com/ios/ios-16/features/

[@keliblum6591]

I love this, I tried it on a friends phone and it works great. However my iPhone 8 plus does not seem to work at all I have tried it in numerous ways am I missing something? Thanks

[@macmost]

According to Apple's page: "Available on iPhone with A12 Bionic and later." You can see which features are available for which iPhones at www.apple.com/ios/ios-16/features/

[@electronics.unmessed]

Hi Gary, thanks for the great video about this nice feature! I am struggling with my iPhone X, because the feature doesn't work here. Is this feature only working with higher iPhone versions or is it my mistake?

[@macmost]

Your phone must have the A12 chip, yes.

[@francesnguyen3729]

Hi Mac, can you lift people and drop them into a video. I want to have a moving background and the person stand still. Thanks!

[@macmost]

Sure. I suppose you can copy and then paste into an image editing app that supports transparent images and export as a transparent PNG. On a Mac, that would just be Preview, but you'll need to get an app like Pixelmator or something to do it on an iPhone. Then you can add that as a picture-in-picture overlay in iMovie.

[@binayakdubey]

Very useful

[@avayas]

Great video What photo editing Apps are best? I’m only looking for something simple (i.e. not the photoshop full version) Which are the top 2 you recommend? Thanks Gary!

[@macmost]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHjKc5ake6ihfM0

[@jailowe30]

Thanks

[@keturahhill1791]

Can I drag it onto another photo?

[@macmost]

In many apps, yes. Not in Photos since Photos isn't a multi-layer editor.

[@heavytraffic7343]

Can I layer photos in my iPhone photos app?

[@davidjohnson3969]

Does the work in the Photos App on iMac .... and or does it work with all images such as 'Preview and Quicklook..... Thankyou!

[@macmost]

Yes, with Photos and Quick Look. Try it and see.

[@ultraspy5474]

I just isolate image and, instead of holding multiple buttons, I COPY, then go to text & hit PASTE in the text box.

[@jamesho1499]

Thanks for the video however I couldn’t swipe up when i am holding the subject… how to solve this issue? Kindly advise

[@macmost]

Use another finger to swipe up.

[@jamesho1499]

@@macmost i did but it doesn’t work. Btw my phone is xs max.

[@dezzmang]

Doesn’t work for me, won’t paste to any app (notes, sms etc) the subject just disappears when using the drag and drop method, and nothing happens at all with the pasting method. Lasso tool does nothing either

[@yvonnemaisonette9230]

HI, I was able to lift the subject and insert it into a black background. How do I get rid of the white line that encircles the subject?

[@macmost]

If you need more refinement you'll need to go to an image editing app and build some skills.

[@davemac90]

Thank you Gary!

[@amalhot]

Can we paste the subject on another photo using iPhone default app?

[@macmost]

No, the Photos app doesn't have layers or pixel editing.

[@simplieme5624]

This was very helpful but when I do this it include other people in close proximity. ugh!

[@NoahCiocan-dq6us]

when you save it, it saves with a black background. Can you make it white?

[@macmost]

It should save with no background at all. Where are you viewing it that you see it as black?

[@kayla.shaearmstrong314]

Thanks!

[@Teodorageta]

Thank you, Gary!

[@aisahbonsalagan]

Sir, what if I wanted to cut out a specific person from a group photo? I wish you could help me with this.

[@macmost]

You'll need to use an image editing app then. This quick function doesn't have a way to get more specific.

[@mehmd1913]

Which image files? RAW, jpeg, high efficiency photos. Does it matter?

[@macmost]

Have never tried RAW, but should work with standard jpeg and HEIC files definitely. Try a RAW one and see.

[@Bunnek0VT]

I have iOS 16.4.1 and I cant do this, what am I doing wrong?? :(

[@keepingupwithbiodunsennuga7370]

It's not grabbing on my mobile phone and my iOS is updated and runing on iOS 16.1. Do I need to enable a setting(s)? Meanwhile, my phone is iPhone X - could this be an issue? Kindly assist, please.

[@macmost]

Yes. Needs A12 Bionic chip or later.

[@davidjohnson3969]

Thanks for replying...... I don't know how to activate it in photos... right-click on the photo doesn't work! Hoot??? Thanks

[@macmost]

Make sure you are viewing just that photo and that you are using macOS Ventura.

[@TheMenno123]

Hey Gary, can you do this also on a MacBook Air ?.

[@macmost]

Works on Mac as long as it is using macOS Ventura. Control+click on the image in Photos or Quick Look. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2OwgmqKr9B2gLM

[@TheMenno123]

@@macmost thanks Gary you are the man!

[@Atanepes]

Hey, I am using IPhone X ios version 16 but that feature doesnt work. What am I have to do?

[@macmost]

I don't think it is compatible with an iPhone that old.

[@shereestilwell9592]

Nice informative video

[@cheryl7829]

Hi there I have tried it on my iPad & it doesn’t work 😢. What am I doing wrong .

[@macmost]

Are you using the latest version of iPadOS? Does your iPad have an A12 Bionic or newer?

[@jaynern]

Its not applicable on my iPhone 8.

[@macmost]

According to Apple: "Available on iPhone with A12 Bionic and later."

[@rep3e4]

It works from iPhone 11, I have one and it works

[@macmost]

@@rep3e4 Yep. I'm demonstrating it here on an iPhone 11 Pro. The iPhone 11 has an A13 Bionic. The A12 Bionic was first used in the iPhone XS. So this feature should work in the XS or newer.

[@tonypalamara770]

Does it work on an iPad. I tried it on my gen 3 iPad Pro but it would not work.

[@macmost]

This is about a new feature in iOS 16. iOS 16 is for iPhone. It will also be a new feature in iPadOS 16. But that hasn't been released yet. It will probably come out in a few weeks.

[@Yooper05]

Why can’t I drop it into another photo?

[@macmost]

You can. You just need to do it in an app that has pixel editing and/or layers. Photos does not. Something like Pixelmator Pro or such.

[@Yooper05]

@@macmost I did see that later in the video, I’m sorry, I thought i deleted that comment. Thank you!

[@suhailck7794]

Ipone x also supporting this feuture?

[@macmost]

Requires the A12 chip, so no.

[@PaperPensandCoffee]

Doesn’t work on iPad

[@macmost]

It does. Are you using iPadOS 16? Maybe your iPhone is too old?

[@boulinkaterina]

How to separate two people close together? You show just one object.Thanks

[@macmost]

You'd probably have to go to an image editing app and worth with the image directly. This quick-and-simple function probably won't give you what you want.

[@milezosmilez]

why does this not work on ipad 7th generation, but works like a charm on my iphone and ipad pro?

[@macmost]

It comes down to the processor required.

[@desertpatient]

Thanks bunches

[@trulyrcklss]

Is there a way to turn this off?

[@macmost]

No, but why? Just don't use it.

[@garymcadamspa8450]

I don't understand what you mean by "Tap anf hold"? Are you tapping the subject with your finger? It isn't working for me.

[@macmost]

Yes, tap with your finger and keep it pressed against the screen until you see the option. Is your iPhone compatible with this feature? If not, that could be why. A12 or newer, if I remember correctly.

[@garymcadamspa8450]

@@macmost My phone is a 14 Pro but it doesn't work.

[@macmost]

@@garymcadamspa8450 Have you tried a few different images? Not sure why it wouldn't work for you. You'll need to call Apple Support and work with them if you can't seem to make it work with some trial and error.

[@garymcadamspa8450]

@@macmost Got it. I think the subject in the picture I was trying was too small. I just tried a few bigger pictures and it works fine. Thank You!!!!

[@rep3e4]

Awesome

[@x7j4]

This feature does not work if ‘Live’ photo is enabled.

[@macmost]

Yeah, but you can quickly switch it to off, copy subject, and then switch it back again.

[@bySterling]

So awesome!

[@artadil]

Sir my iPhone x in not left subject background remove how to use background

[@macmost]

The iPhone X is too old (requires A12).

[@gy3132]

What 3rd party app are you using or recommend

[@macmost]

For what... ?

[@gy3132]

@@macmost in your video , you used 3rd party app to transfer image to another picture

[@macmost]

@@gy3132 If you want to put a cut-out subject onto another picture. Yes, then Pixelmator, which is what I use in the video, will do it. Lots of other apps as well.

[@justste6192]

It lets me pic and move the subject but I go to another app and I’m at a loss how to get it to go in that app, tried the copy and paste option but when pasting it doesn’t put it in the mail or message box, please someone help?

[@macmost]

Copy and paste is the easiest if you don't have the hang of drag-and-drop on the iPhone. Not sure why it isn't pasting into your email message though. Try it again.

[@RetiredGranny]

Will not let me put it into Files

[@hamzaazam5981]

Can we do this in iphone x?

[@macmost]

Requires A12 processor or newer.

[@pushpalal2100]

Easy to cut off picture But how do you paste on top of another picture ?

[@macmost]

Depends on which app you are using to do it.

[@pushpalal2100]

@@macmost which app I should be using ?

[@macmost]

@@pushpalal2100 There are lots of image editing apps. (Photoshop, Pixelmator, Affinity Photo, Acorn, Preview, etc). If you use one already, stick with that. Otherwise, it depends on what features you want. Tons of options.

[@Jazytr]

Is this possible on iphone 8

[@macmost]

You can check but I think that is too old.

[@fasttwitchmedia149]

Your phone must have the A12 chip. My 8plus won’t do this.

[@lutfilrere1806]

why it doesnt work on Iphone X? please reply

[@macmost]

Requires A12 processor or newer.

[@marieg4054]

Mine doesnt paste it on messages or a note. Is there a setting that needs to be enabled?

[@macmost]

Where you able to copy it successfully? If that part works, but not the paste, make sure you are in the text of the Note and paste then. Also, make sure you are using a rich note (iCloud, for instance, not Google).

[@marieg4054]

@@macmost I was not able to make it work. I tried on messages and on the notes. It copies the person from the photo (or drag them) but it doesn't paste them. Tried to google it but couldn't find an answer. Not sure what you mean in your last sentence.

[@macmost]

@@marieg4054 The Notes app lets you create and maintain notes in a variety of cloud systems, like iCloud or Google. But what the note can contain depends on whether the system allows it. If you are using a system that doesn't allow images in notes, then you can't paste an image into the note. If you are using iCloud for notes, then it should allow it.

[@marieg4054]

@@macmost ok let me check if is on icloud. But it also didn't let me paste it on messages.

[@marieg4054]

@@macmost I was finally able to make it work, after force restarting my phone

[@chrisjohn7395]

I just downloaded ios 16 on my iphone 8 and its not letting me do it? anybody know why?