Apple adds new AI photo editing tools to the Photos app

In short: Apple says its Photos app will get new AI-powered editing tools, including one that can change a photo’s perspective after it is taken.

What happened

Apple announced at WWDC 2026 that the Photos app is adding several new features powered by Apple Intelligence, its built-in AI system.

One new tool is called spatial “Reframe.” It is designed to fix small mistakes like an off-center shot, missed eye contact, or an awkward object near someone’s head. You can touch and drag the photo to change the perspective, as if you moved the camera a little when you took the picture.

As you reposition the image, the app may create blurred edges where the original photo no longer covers the frame. Apple says its “generative” AI models, meaning AI that can create new pixels to fill in missing areas (like a smart version of copy and paste for images), will fill those gaps later. Apple says it only generates new content where needed, so the result stays consistent with the original scene.

Apple is also adding an “Extend” tool. This lets you expand the edges of an image to give the subject more space, or straighten a crooked horizon without cropping out important parts.

Finally, Apple is upgrading its “Cleanup” tool, which removes unwanted objects. You tap, brush, or circle what you want gone, and the app fills the space with more realistic results.

Why it matters

These updates aim to make common photo fixes simpler, especially for people who do not want to learn complex editing. They also show how Apple is putting AI features into everyday apps that many iPhone users already rely on.

Source: TechCrunch AI