Need to share just the dog, person or object in a picture? On supported iPhones, you can lift a subject from its background with a long press—no third-party cutout app required. The feature works in Photos and some other apps, but it is not a full photo editor.
Try the built-in cutout
Open a photo in the Photos app, or view an image in an app such as Messages or Safari. Touch and hold the main subject. If iOS recognizes it, a bright outline appears. Release to see options such as Copy, Add Sticker or Share. You can paste or send the isolated subject in a compatible app, or save it as a sticker for Messages.
Apple says photo cutouts are available on iPhone XS, iPhone XR and later with iOS 16 or later. If the outline does not appear, check your device and software version, then try a photo where the subject is clearly separated from the background. Busy edges, low contrast or an unusual subject can make recognition less reliable.
Know what it cannot do
This is a quick way to copy or share an isolated subject; it does not create a complete retouched image or let you paste the cutout onto another photo in the Photos app. The destination app controls how the copied subject looks and whether it keeps a transparent background.
For a clean result, choose a sharp original with a visible outline and check the cutout before sending it. If you need precise masking, hair refinement or a composite on a new background, use a dedicated editor instead.
The built-in gesture is a fast way to make a sticker or share a subject, but it is best thought of as a convenient shortcut—not a replacement for detailed editing.
Featured image credit: Håkan Dahlström from Malmö, Sweden on Wikimedia Commons — CC BY 2.0 (license).
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