Create and share photo cutouts on your iPhone

In iOS 16 and later, you can isolate the subject of a photo – such as a person or a pet – from the rest of the photo and then copy or share it.

Separate the subject of your photo from the background and then share it

  1. Open a photo in the Photos app or in apps like Messages or Safari.

  2. Touch and hold the subject of the photo. A shiny white outline may appear.

  3. Let go to reveal options such as Copy, Add Sticker and Share in the Photos app, or Copy Subject in Safari.

    You can touch and hold to isolate the subject of your photos on your iPhone with iOS 18 or later.

Once you have selected the subject of a photo, you can share it through apps such as Messages or Mail or use AirDrop. You can also copy and paste it in other apps like Notes.

Photo cutouts are available in iOS 16 and later on iPhone XS, iPhone XR and later. Subjects cannot be pasted onto another photo.

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