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Remove tool in Lightroom for mobile (iOS)

Last updated on Jun 17, 2025

Lightroom

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Learn how to remove distractions and unwanted objects in a photo.

Try it in the app.
Remove objects from a photo in just a few steps.

Try Remove in Lightroom

You can now easily remove distractions and unwanted objects on complex backgrounds with Generative Remove, powered by Adobe Firefly generative AI.

Note:

Generative credits will not be deducted for using Generative Remove.
Generative Remove requires an internet connection, while the Remove, Clone, and Heal tools work even without an internet connection.

Use Remove tool in Lightroom to remove distractions

Using Generative Remove

With the Generative Remove feature, you can easily remove distractions and unwanted elements like signboards, tourists, and objects in a photo. Once you highlight the object you want to remove, Lightroom automatically removes it and generates a fill that perfectly blends in with the rest of the image.

Select Generative AI and brush over the object you want to remove in your photo. For enhanced accuracy, combine this tool with the Detect objects feature by roughly brushing or scribbling over the object to help identify and select the subject.

Select the Refine button to see more options:

Variations: Choose from the different options that are generated with the help of Generative AI.
Opacity: Controls the opacity of the adjustments applied to the target area.
Restore: Deletes the selection.

You can select from the variations you like or select Done to continue with the selected variation. You can also select Restore to discard the variations generated.

In refine remove panel, Generative AI toggle button, Variations, Opacity and restore button is displayed. — Select the Variations arrow to check the variations that are generated.

Note:

Select Info to Delete variation, Report variation, Leave feedback, or learn more about Generative AI User Guidelines.

Using the Remove extra people tool

The Remove extra people tool allows you to remove the extra people from your image. The tool identifies the main subject in the photo, detects any unwanted people in the background, and removes them.

In Edit panel in the Loupe view, select Remove .
Select the Remove extra people tool.

Note:

Lightroom analyzes the image and detects the extra people in the image and selects them.
Select the Remove selected people button to remove people.

Tip:

If you want someone to remain in the image, select the highlighted person you want to keep unchanged.

Once the Remove selected people button is selected, Lightroom removes all the extra people.
Once done, you can refine the image by selecting the Refine people button. Select from the options:
- Variations: Choose from the different options that are generated with the help of Generative AI.
- Restore: Lets you undo the selection.
To confirm the edits, select Done .

Using Remove tool

The Remove tool allows you to brush away an area of your photo, and Lightroom will fill the area with the best-suited content from other parts of your photo. For enhanced accuracy, combine this tool with the Detect objects feature by roughly brushing or scribbling over the object to help identify and select the subject.

In the Edit panel in the Loupe view, select Remove .

Note:

By default, the Generative AI toggle is enabled. Turn it off before using Detect objects.
With the Remove tool selected, brush over the object you want to remove or retouch in your photo.
Change the size or opacity as necessary.
- Brush Size: Specifies the diameter of the brush.
Select the Refine button to see more options:
- Refresh: Re-fills the brushed area with another source of content.
- Opacity: Controls the opacity of the adjustments applied to the target area.
- Restore: Deletes the selection.
To confirm the edits, select Done .

Using Heal tool

The Heal tool allows you to easily brush away an area while automatically filling that area with consideration of the surrounding colors and tones to blend everything together.

In the Edit panel in the Loupe view, select Remove.
Select Heal by long-pressing on Remove tool.
With the Heal tool selected, brush over the object you want to retouch in your photo. Select and paint over the imperfection or object you want to retouch. Lightroom will automatically sample nearby pixels to blend the area.
Change the size, feather, or opacity as necessary.
- Brush Size: Specifies the diameter of the brush tip in pixels.
Select the Refine button to see more options:
- Feather: Controls the soft-edged transition between the brushed area and the surrounding pixels in the target area.
- Opacity: Controls the opacity of the adjustment applied to the target area.
- Restore: Lets you undo the selection.
You can also change the size for spot-type adjustments.
To confirm the edits, select Done.

Using Clone tool

The Clone tool allows you to brush away an area of your photo and lets you choose another part of your photo to fill into the area.

In the Edit panel in the Loupe view, select Remove.
Select Clone by long-pressing on Remove tool.
With the Clone tool selected, brush over the object you want to remove or retouch in your photo. You'll notice two white marquee areas after brushing over the object in your image. The marquee area with solid lines over your painted object designates the target area. The dashed lines denote the source area.
Change the size, feather, or opacity as necessary.
- Brush Size: Specifies the diameter of the brush tip in pixels.
Select the Refine button to see more options:
- Feather: Controls the soft-edged transition between the brushed area and the surrounding pixels in the target area.
- Opacity: Controls the opacity of the adjustment applied to the target area.
- Restore: Lets you undo the selection.
You can also change the size for spot-type adjustments.
To confirm the edits, select Done ...

Tip:

Long-press on the photo to see a Before view.
Select the Undo or Redo icons to move back or forward in your edits, one step at a time.

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