Perfect photo ruined by a random stranger walking through the background? Tourist photobombing your vacation shot? Distracting object cluttering an otherwise great composition?
Clean Up is Apple's answer to these everyday photography frustrations. Built into the Photos app with iOS 18.1, it uses AI to remove unwanted elements from your images—and honestly, it works way better than I expected it to.
I've spent the past few weeks cleaning up dozens of photos. Some transformations were genuinely impressive. Others needed multiple attempts to get right. This guide walks you through exactly how to use Clean Up on iPhone, what works best, and realistic expectations for the results.
Clean Up requires iOS 18.1 or later on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 model. You also need Apple Intelligence enabled in Settings → Apple Intelligence & Siri.
If you haven't enabled it yet, follow our how to enable Apple Intelligence guide. The feature processes everything on-device—nothing gets sent to Apple's servers.
How to Use Clean Up on iPhone
Let's start with the exact steps. This is the workflow you'll use every time you want to remove something from a photo.
- Open Photos and select an image.
- Tap "Edit" in the top-right corner.
- Tap the "Clean Up" icon (eraser/sparkle icon) at the bottom.
- Wait for setup: First time use requires a quick model download.
- Select object: Tap highlighted objects, circle them, or brush over them.
- Refine: Use Undo if needed, or continue removing other objects.
- Tap "Done" to save.
Use pinch-to-zoom gestures while in Clean Up mode to get a closer view of small objects. This makes it much easier to precisely select what you want removed without accidentally selecting nearby elements.
Understanding Selection Methods
Clean Up gives you three ways to select objects for removal. Each works best in different situations.
Tapping: Quick and Simple
When the AI automatically highlights objects (shown with that colorful outline), just tap them to remove instantly. Best for clearly defined objects like people in the background.
Circling: Most Precise Control
Draw a circle around the object you want removed using your finger. Best for specific objects the AI didn't automatically detect. I use this most often.
Brushing: For Larger Areas
Drag your finger across objects to "paint" over them. Best for large objects like power lines or wires stretching across the frame.
Real Example: Beach Photo
Scenario: Beautiful sunset beach photo with your family, but three random strangers are walking in the background.
Process: Open photo, tap Clean Up. AI highlights all three people. Tap each person once.
Result: Clean beach scene. The AI filled in the background naturally.
What Clean Up Does Well
Removing People: Photobombers and tourists in the background are easily removed.
Deleting Small Objects: Trash cans, signs, and poles disappear cleanly.
Fixing Blemishes: Works like an advanced healing brush for spots or imperfections.
Cleaning Busy Backgrounds: Removing multiple distracting elements one by one transforms a cluttered image.
Where It Struggles
Complex Backgrounds: Detailed murals or patterns can confuse the AI reconstruction.
Large Objects: If an object takes up more than 20-30% of the frame, results may look artificial.
Shadows: Sometimes the object is removed but its shadow remains. You may need to select shadows separately.
Low Light/Blur: Poor edge definition makes it harder for the AI to separate objects from the background.
Once you tap "Done," the edited version replaces your original. However, you can always revert to the original by tapping Edit → Revert to Original.
Tips for Best Results
Work with good photos: Start with well-lit, in-focus images.
Remove one by one: Don't try to remove everything at once. Go object by object.
Use Undo: If a removal looks bad, undo and try a different selection method (e.g., circle instead of tap).
Check full size: Zoom in to ensure there are no obvious artifacts.
Accept "Good Enough": Pixel-perfection isn't always possible, but 90% improvement is still a win.
Common Questions
Does it work on old photos? Yes, any photo in your library.
Can I clean up photos I didn't take? Yes, works on downloaded images too.
Does it lose quality? Resolution stays the same, though filled areas might have slightly different texture.
Can I use it on Live Photos? It treats them as still photos. Videos are not supported.
Final Thoughts
Clean Up isn't perfect, but it's legitimately useful. The on-device processing ensures privacy, even if complex edits take a bit longer. It works best for removing clearly defined objects from simple backgrounds.
Try it on 5-10 photos to get a feel for its capabilities. You'll quickly learn which photos are good candidates for Clean Up. Even in its current form, it has earned a permanent spot in my photo editing workflow.