Unwanted objects or photobombers can ruin your pictures. The good thing is you can remove them from any image. A few years back, you had to master dedicated photo-editing tools like Photoshop to do it. But not anymore.

If you have a smartphone, you can easily remove any unwanted objects from your images without a fuss using a tool known as Magic Eraser, which is available in Google Photos on Android and iOS. We'll show you how.

What Is Magic Eraser?

Google introduced Magic Eraser in Google Photos with its Pixel 6 series launch. Once a Pixel-exclusive feature, Magic Eraser is an excellent tool for removing photobombers and unwanted objects from any image, regardless of whether you're using an Android or iOS device.

Even though Google Photos is available on all mobile devices, you must have a Google One subscription plan to access Magic Eraser if you don't have a Pixel.

The good news is if you have an older device or don't have a Google One subscription, you can get the same functionality by using Magic Eraser alternatives. Alternatively, you can erase unwanted objects using Samsung's exclusive Object Eraser tool if you own a Samsung Galaxy phone.

How to Remove Unwanted Objects From Images With Magic Eraser

Google Photos' Magic Eraser tool doesn't require you to have expert photo-editing skills to use. It also works offline, and you can use it on old images, even those not shot on your current smartphone.

Follow these steps to get started:

  1. In Google Photos, look for a photo with an unwanted object or photobomber and tap to open it.
  2. Tap Edit at the bottom menu bar. Scroll through the available options and select Tools.
  3. Tap Magic Eraser. Google Photos will automatically try to find unwanted objects.
  4. If the app automatically identifies what you'd like to remove, tap Erase all to remove highlighted objects. Then tap Done to finish, and select Save copy to save the image.
  5. If Google Photos fails to identify objects you want to remove, you can do it manually by drawing over the unwanted thing or photobomber with your finger. Google Photos will remove the object instantly.
  6. Once you've removed everything, tap Done > Save copy.

You can use Magic Eraser more than once on the same image if you need to. If the object isn't removed perfectly the first time, repeat the process, drawing over any leftover parts to help tidy it up.

Don't Let Photobombers Ruin Your Amazing Photos

Excellent photos are rare, and unwanted objects or a photobomber might ruin everything when they do. If that happens, use the steps above to instantly remove unwanted objects in your images.

Although the feature requires a Google One subscription for non-Pixel users, this might be the one thing that makes you decide to join the paying bandwagon. Otherwise, explore alternative apps to help remove unwanted objects from your images.