Photos on iOS 27 gains new AI editing tools
Apple has added a new set of editing tools powered by Apple Intelligence to the Photos app in iOS 27.
The update introduces an improved eraser, a background extension feature, and a new tool called Spatial Reframing, which allows users to adjust the framing of a photo after it has already been taken.
The most unusual of the three is Spatial Reframing. The feature lets users change the virtual camera angle on a finished photo. A simple touch and drag is enough to shift the composition or slightly modify the perspective of the shot.
Here is how it works.
Apple emphasizes that the neural network does not redraw the entire image. Apple Intelligence only generates the missing regions that appear as the perspective changes. The approach is designed to preserve the original scene rather than turn the photo into a fully reconstructed picture.
The Clean Up tool, which has been used to remove unwanted objects from photos, is also being upgraded. Apple promises more accurate removal of distracting elements and more realistic background reconstruction, even in complex scenes.
The third new tool is Extend. It allows the user to expand the background of a photo or change its aspect ratio. The feature is particularly useful when a shot lacks room around the edges or needs to be adapted to a different format.
According to Apple, the new tools are designed to enhance photos without compromising the original moment. The company is positioning AI-based editing not as a way to generate a new image, but as a careful refinement of an existing photo.
All three features are processed through the Private Cloud Compute infrastructure. Part of the computation happens in the cloud, but Apple states that user data remains protected throughout the process.
The new tools work not only with photos taken on an iPhone, but also with older images and with photos captured on cameras from other manufacturers.