Can Apple's new AI photo 'Clean up' tool beat Google's Magic Editor? For some users, yes

A good camera, photo skills, and a worthy subject are only part of the equation when capturing the perfect photo. Some factors are out of your control, such as objects or people in the background that you can not move but are in the way of your perfect shot. That’s where AI can help. 

With Monday’s release of iOS 18.1, Apple introduced an AI-powered “Clean-up” feature, available in the editing section of the Photos library.  With this feature, you can remove unwanted elements of a photo and seamlessly blend the background back in. 

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Although this is a new and exciting feature for iOS users, Google has had a similar feature, Magic Editor, available for Pixel phones since 2023. Google recently expanded its offering to all Google Photos users  — including iOS users. 

So, the question is: Was Apple’s counterpart worth the wait? To find out, I tested both tools using photos — from my recent trip — in which removing something could improve my shot. The removals ranged from easier to more challenging, as seen from left to right. 

Apple Clean Up Tool results

From a usage standpoint, I appreciated how easy it is to find the Clean Up tool; you don’t need to search for anything or toggle. Rather, when you click to edit a photo, the tool is an option on the bar. Then, when you click on it, it automatically makes suggestions for what you should “clean up” and you can tap it to get rid of it. 

It doesn’t, in every instance, identify what the objects are. For example, it did not see the sign in the first image, likely because it is so dark in the lower right corner. However, it did in the two other instances, even identifying both items in the third photo. 

The results were impressive — I’d be comfortable sharing the edited versions of the photos on social media. If you zoom into the most challenging photo, you can see that the part of the rocks added on is a bit grainy compared to the rest, but it still looks realistic and not jarring. 

Google Photos Magic Eraser results

For iPhone users, the first step to using Magic Eraser may be inconvenient, as you need to download the Google Photos app. The good news is that it’s free and offers other perks, such as photo storage and organization tools. I rely on the cloud storage offered by Google Photos because I take so many photos that I’m always running out of space on my phone. 

Once all your photos populate, you can click on the Edit button on the bottom bar, scroll over to Tools, and then click on Magic Eraser. This tool also has a feature that automatically selects what to remove, although it failed to identify the object in the first and last photos. 

The results of the two least challenging images were good, but the last one left much to be desired. Not only did it take a while to mark over the person (as it never recognized the object), but the results looked like a big blur. 

The winner?

For iPhone users, the native experience of the Clean Up tool is not only more convenient but also yields better results. The tool is easier to access, better at identifying objects, and better at blending them into its background. 

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However, if you are an iPhone user who doesn’t have access to Apple Intelligence, Google Photos is a great alternative as it generates comparable results and also has added benefits. Plus, downloading the free app is a lot easier on your wallet than shelling out the money for a new iPhone.