Apple's iOS 27 Upgrades the Clean Up Tool for Object Removal in Photos
Apple's Clean Up tool, which debuted in iOS 18 as part of the Apple Intelligence rollout, has received a meaningful update in iOS 27. The feature allows iPhone users to select and remove unwanted objects from photos directly in the native Photos app, with the underlying model filling in the removed area based on the surrounding image content.
The iOS 27 version extends the capability to handle more complex scenarios - areas where earlier versions struggled, such as objects close to the subject of a photo or elements that require a larger portion of the background to be reconstructed. Apple has not published detailed technical specifications for what changed in the model, but early hands-on coverage suggests the results are more reliable in edge cases that previously produced visible artefacts or unnatural fills.
Object removal is a well-established category in image editing, with tools from Adobe, Google, and Samsung offering comparable functionality on their respective platforms. Apple's implementation is notable primarily for its integration into the default photo library experience, making it accessible without additional apps or exports. The Clean Up tool requires no prompting beyond selecting the object to remove, which keeps the interaction simple for users who are not interested in generative AI tools more broadly.
The update arrives as part of a broader iOS 27 release, though Apple has been careful to frame Clean Up as a photo editing utility rather than a generative AI feature in its public communications.
