The simplest way to join two photos depends on what device you have and whether you want them side by side or stacked

If you have a smartphone, the built-in photo editor usually works fastest. On iPhone, open Photos, select Edit, tap the three dots, and look for Markup or Adjust — but the real tool is a free app like Canva or PicCollage, which let you drag two images into a template and export the result in seconds. On Android, Google Photos has a built-in collage tool under Tools. On a computer, Photoshop does this but costs money; GIMP is free and does the same work, though it has a steeper learning curve. For the fastest route on any device, Canva works across phone and desktop and has templates specifically for joining two photos.

The choice between these tools comes down to three things: whether you already own the software, how much control you want over spacing and alignment, and whether you need the result in a specific size. A phone app is fastest if you just want the photos joined and saved. A desktop tool gives you more control if you're making something for print or a website with exact dimensions.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone and Android both have built-in collage tools in their photo apps, and they work without downloading anything else.
  • Canva works on phone and computer, has templates for joining photos, and is free for basic use across all devices.
  • GIMP is free desktop software that joins photos with full control but requires learning its interface.
  • Photoshop does this work but requires a paid subscription and is overkill if you only need to join two images occasionally.

Using your phone's built-in tools

On iPhone, open the Photos app, select the first photo, tap Edit, then tap the three dots in the top right. Look for Markup (in iOS 15 and later) or use the crop and rotate tools to position your image. The faster route is to use the Photos app's built-in collage feature: go to the Albums tab, scroll to Collections, and tap New Collage. Select two photos and choose a layout. The app will arrange them automatically and let you adjust spacing before you save.

On Android, open Google Photos, select the first image, tap Tools at the bottom, and look for Collage. Select your second photo and choose a layout. Google Photos offers a handful of preset arrangements — side by side, stacked, or in a grid — and you can adjust the spacing before saving. If Google Photos doesn't have the layout you want, try the Photos app that came with your phone; Samsung devices have a dedicated collage tool under More Options.

Using Canva on phone or desktop

Canva is free and works the same way on iPhone, Android, and computer. Open the app or website, search for "photo collage," and select a template that shows two photos side by side or stacked. Drag your first photo into the left or top frame and your second photo into the right or bottom frame. Canva automatically resizes them to fit. You can adjust spacing, add borders, change the background color, or add text if you want. When you're done, tap read and choose your file format — PNG keeps the background transparent, JPG is smaller and works everywhere.

Canva's free version includes hundreds of collage templates and covers most common sizes. The paid version (Canva Pro) unlocks more templates and the ability to resize your finished image to different dimensions without re-doing the work, which saves time if you need the same collage for both Instagram and a website. For joining two photos once or twice, the free version is enough.

Using GIMP on Windows or Mac

GIMP is free, open-source software that runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. read it from gimp.org. Open GIMP, go to File > New, and set the canvas size to fit both photos. If your photos are 1000 pixels wide each and you want them side by side, create a canvas 2000 pixels wide and as tall as one photo. If you want them stacked, make the canvas as wide as one photo and twice as tall.

Open your first photo as a layer (File > Open as Layers), position it in the canvas using the Move tool, then open your second photo as another layer and position it next to or below the first. Use the Align tool to line them up evenly. When both photos are positioned, flatten the image (Image > Flatten Image) and export it as JPG or PNG (File > Export As). GIMP gives you pixel-perfect control but takes longer to learn than a phone app or Canva.

Using Photoshop if you already have it

If you already subscribe to Photoshop, the process is similar to GIMP but with a different interface. Create a new document at the size you need, open both photos as smart objects (File > Place Embedded), position them in the canvas, and flatten before exporting. Photoshop's advantage is that it's faster if you do this work regularly or need to join photos as part of a larger design project.

The disadvantage is the subscription cost — Adobe charges roughly $20 per month for Photoshop alone, or $55 per month for the full Creative Cloud suite. For joining two photos once or twice, this cost is not worth it. The free and low-cost options above do the same work without the expense.

Choosing between side by side and stacked

Side by side works best when both photos have the same height and you want to show a before-and-after or a comparison. Stacked (one on top of the other) works better when photos have different aspect ratios or when you're making a tall, narrow image for Instagram Stories or a phone screen. Most collage tools let you choose the layout before you start, so pick based on what looks right for your photos.

If you're unsure, try both in Canva — it takes 30 seconds to switch templates and see which one looks better. You can also crop your photos first to match their heights, which makes side-by-side layouts look more balanced. All of these tools let you crop before or during the joining process.

Saving and sharing your joined photo

All of these tools save your result as an image file — JPG, PNG, or WebP. JPG is the most compatible format and works everywhere; PNG keeps a transparent background if you need one; WebP is smaller and newer but not supported by older devices. Most phone apps default to JPG, which is fine for sharing on social media or email. If you're printing the image, save it as PNG or ask your printer what format they prefer.

Once saved, you can share the image directly from your phone's photo library, upload it to social media, email it, or print it. There's no step between saving and sharing — the joined photo is a regular image file that works anywhere a single photo would. You can also edit it again later in any of these tools if you want to make changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I join more than two photos at once?

Yes. All of these tools support collages with three, four, or more photos. Canva has templates for grids of any size. Google Photos and iPhone's collage tools offer preset layouts for multiple photos. GIMP and Photoshop let you add as many layers as you want. Start with a template if you're using Canva or a phone app; if you're using GIMP, create a larger canvas and add more layers.

What if my two photos are different sizes?

The collage tool will resize them to fit the template. If you want to control how much of each photo shows, crop them first in your phone's photo app or in Canva before joining them. Canva lets you crop inside the collage template itself, so you don't have to edit the original photos.

Can I join photos and add text or borders?

Yes. Canva has built-in text and border tools. GIMP and Photoshop can add text using the Text tool. Phone collage apps usually have a text option in the editing menu. Add text after you've positioned both photos so you can see how it looks with the full image.

What format should I save the joined photo in?

JPG is the safest choice — it works on every device and website, and the file size is small. PNG is better if you need a transparent background or if you're printing. WebP is smaller but older devices may not open it. Most tools default to JPG, which is fine for most uses.

Do I need to pay for any of these tools?

No. iPhone and Android have free collage tools built in. Canva is free for basic collages. GIMP is free. Photoshop requires a paid subscription, but you don't need it for joining two photos. The free options cover everything most people need.