The fastest way to change a photo background on iPhone
iPhone's built-in Photos app and the camera's Portrait mode let you blur or replace backgrounds without downloading anything. The simplest route depends on whether you took the photo in Portrait mode already — if you did, you can edit it right now. If not, you can still blur the background using the Photos app's blur tool, though replacing it entirely requires either a third-party app or more manual work.
Start by opening the photo in your Photos app, tapping Edit, then looking for the blur icon (it looks like a circle with a gradient). This works on iPhone 12 and newer. For older iPhones or if you want more control, you'll need to use an app like Pixelmator Pro, Adobe Lightroom, or Background Eraser — but the built-in tools handle the most common task (softening the background) without leaving the phone.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone 12 and newer can blur backgrounds in the Photos app by opening Edit and tapping the blur icon, which works on any photo.
- Portrait mode photos taken on iPhone XS and newer can be edited to change the blur strength or switch to a different blur effect right after you take them.
- Replacing a background entirely (not just blurring it) requires a third-party app like Pixelmator Pro, Background Eraser, or Adobe Lightroom.
- The best results come from photos where the subject is clearly separated from the background — the phone's depth detection works better with distance between them.
How to blur a background using the Photos app
Open the photo you want to edit in the Photos app. Tap Edit in the top right corner. Scroll through the editing tools at the bottom until you see the blur icon — it looks like a circle with a soft gradient inside. Tap it.
You'll see a slider appear. Move it left to reduce blur or right to increase it. The preview updates as you move the slider so you can see the effect in real time. When it looks right, tap Done to save the change. The original photo stays in your library; the edit is saved as a new version.
This tool works on iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, and newer. It analyzes the depth in your photo — how far away different parts of the image are — and blurs everything behind your main subject. It works best when there's clear distance between what you're photographing and the background, like a person standing several feet away from a wall or trees.
Editing Portrait mode photos right after you take them
If you took the photo using Portrait mode on iPhone XS or newer, you can adjust the background blur before you even save it. After you take the shot, look at the preview on your screen. You'll see a small "f" icon in the top left corner with a number next to it — that's the depth effect strength. Tap it.
A row of f-stop numbers appears at the bottom (f/1.4, f/2.8, f/5.6, and so on). Each one represents how blurred the background will be — lower numbers mean more blur, higher numbers mean less blur. Slide left or right to pick the effect you want, then tap Done. You can also tap the lighting icon to add studio lighting effects if your phone supports it.
If you didn't adjust it right after taking the photo, you can still edit it later. Open the photo in your Photos app, tap Edit, and look for the depth effect icon (it looks like a circle with an aperture). Tap it to adjust the blur strength the same way.
When you need to replace the background entirely
Blurring softens the background but keeps it visible. If you want to remove the background completely or swap it for a different image, you'll need a third-party app. The built-in tools don't do this because it requires more processing power and more complex decisions about what counts as "background" versus "subject."
Popular options include Pixelmator Pro (a one-time purchase around $40), Background Eraser (free with in-app purchases), and Adobe Lightroom (subscription-based). Each works differently: some let you paint over the parts you want to remove, others use automatic detection like iPhone's blur tool but go further by actually erasing the background instead of just blurring it.
For the fastest results, try Background Eraser first — it's free to read and handles straightforward cases well. If you want more precise control or plan to do this regularly, Pixelmator Pro gives you better tools and no subscription. Adobe Lightroom works if you already subscribe to Creative Cloud.
Getting the best results from your phone's depth detection
Your iPhone's ability to blur or detect backgrounds depends on how it sees depth in the photo. This works best when several conditions are met: your main subject (usually a person or object) is several feet away from the background, there's good lighting, and the subject is clearly separate from what's behind it.
A photo of someone standing in front of a wall works well. A photo of someone standing in a crowd does not — the phone can't tell where the person ends and the crowd begins. Similarly, a close-up of a face against a blurry background works, but a photo taken from far away where the subject is small in the frame may confuse the depth detection.
If the blur or background removal isn't working well on a photo, the issue is usually that the phone couldn't figure out the depth clearly enough. Try taking the photo again from a slightly different angle or distance, or with better lighting. For Portrait mode specifically, hold the phone steady for a moment after you tap the shutter — it needs a second to calculate the depth map.
Comparing blur, removal, and replacement options
| What you want | Tool | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soften background | Photos app blur tool | Free (iPhone 12+) | Quick edits, any photo |
| Adjust Portrait mode blur | Photos app depth effect | Free (iPhone XS+) | Photos taken in Portrait mode |
| Remove background | Background Eraser app | Free (with in-app purchases) | straightforward removal, learning the process |
| Remove or replace background | Pixelmator Pro | One-time purchase (~$40) | Precise control, regular editing |
| Professional-level editing | Adobe Lightroom | Subscription | Full photo editing suite, cloud sync |
Saving and sharing your edited photos
When you finish editing in the Photos app, tap Done and the change saves automatically. The edited version replaces the original in your library — but iPhone keeps the original file too. If you want to undo the edit later, open the photo, tap Edit, then tap Revert at the bottom to go back to the original.
To share the edited photo, open it and tap the share icon (it looks like a box with an arrow pointing out). Choose how you want to send it — Messages, Mail, AirDrop, or any other app. The version you share includes all your edits.
If you're using a third-party app like Pixelmator Pro or Background Eraser, the process is similar but the edited photo usually saves to your Photos app as a new image. Check the app's settings to see where it saves files — some apps let you choose whether to overwrite the original or create a copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I blur the background on an iPhone older than 12?
The Photos app blur tool only works on iPhone 12 and newer. If you have an older iPhone, you can still use Portrait mode to take photos with blurred backgrounds (iPhone XS and newer support this), but you can't add blur to existing photos without a third-party app. Background Eraser and Pixelmator Pro work on older phones.
Why isn't the blur tool showing up in my Photos app?
The blur tool only appears on iPhone 12 and newer. If you have that model or newer and still don't see it, make sure you're running the latest version of iOS — go to Settings, General, Software Update. If the photo is very close-up or taken in low light, the phone may not be able to detect depth, and the tool won't appear for that specific photo.
Does blurring the background change the original photo file?
No. iPhone keeps the original file and stores the edits separately. If you want to undo the blur, open the photo, tap Edit, and tap Revert. The original comes back. When you share the photo, the blur goes with it, but the original stays safe in your library.
What's the difference between Portrait mode and the blur tool?
Portrait mode is a camera setting you use when taking the photo — it blurs the background as you shoot. The blur tool in the Photos app is something you use after the photo is taken on any image. Portrait mode usually gives better results because it captures depth information while taking the shot, but the blur tool works on any photo if your phone is new enough.
Can I replace a background with a solid color or a different photo?
The built-in Photos app can only blur backgrounds, not replace them. To swap the background for a color or a different image, you need an app like Pixelmator Pro, Background Eraser, or Adobe Lightroom. These apps let you remove the background and add a new one, though the quality depends on how cleanly the app can separate your subject from what's behind it.