iOS 18.1 Introduces Magic Eraser Feature: Apple Users Can Finally Solve Storage Issues!

Apple's New "Clean Up" Feature: Enhance Your Photo Editing Experience

As an Apple user, patience is often required. The company tends to prioritize iterative improvements over groundbreaking innovations, leading to a conservative rollout of new features. Frequently, Apple waits for other companies to solve technical issues before introducing similar functions in a more refined manner. This can leave users longing for features that have long been available on other platforms.

For instance, Google’s “Magic Eraser” tool allows users to effortlessly remove unwanted elements from images. Initially exclusive to Android, it later made its way to Google Photos on iOS, though the experience felt less integrated. However, the recent release of iOS 18.1 Beta 3 brings an exciting addition: the new "Clean Up" feature.

The New "Clean Up" Feature and Its Impact

iOS 18.1 is a beta version focused on enhancing Apple’s intelligent functionalities, introducing practical features like automatic notification summaries and smart email categorization. The newly launched "Clean Up" tool revamps the photo app experience, offering a simple one-click solution to identify and remove unwanted elements from pictures.

To use the "Clean Up" feature, open an image in the Photos app, click the edit icon, and select "Clean Up." The first time you use it, the system will quickly download the necessary components. Once activated, the tool automatically highlights elements that can be removed, marking them with distinct colors. By merely tapping on the unwanted parts, "Clean Up" employs AI technology to seamlessly erase them and fill the gaps, similar to the functionality of other photo editing tools.

If the tool misses any unwanted elements, users can manually select them for removal, allowing the feature to adjust accordingly.

User Experience and Results

Apple's reputation for user-friendly design extends to the "Clean Up" function. It simplifies the process of marking and deleting unwanted items. However, it's essential to be careful when selecting small details. For example, while editing a sunset photo, I accidentally tapped on a wave instead of a swimmer. Fortunately, you can easily undo any action.

The system performs well when addressing complex textures or low-light images, managing to fill voids effectively. Although some minor details may be noticeable when viewed up close, the overall results look impressive under normal viewing conditions.

Of course, the "Clean Up" feature isn't flawless. During my attempt to remove a hiker in Colorado Springs, the tool struggled to completely eliminate the figure, leaving visible remnants. This limitation is likely due to its current testing phase, but I remain hopeful for future enhancements.

The "Clean Up" feature is applicable across all images in your photo library, whether taken with an iPhone or from other sources. iOS 18.1 is expected to be officially released later this year, but you can experience this feature early through Apple's Beta program.

Having observed the "Clean Up" tool for some time, I am excited about its potential to significantly improve the photo editing experience.