Apple is giving the Photos app one of its biggest updates in years with iOS 27. Alongside performance improvements and organizational upgrades, the update introduces several new Apple Intelligence-powered editing tools that make it easier to enhance photos without relying on professional editing software.
The focus of these new features is simple: help users improve their photos while preserving the original memory. According to Apple, the goal is not to create entirely new images, but to refine what was already captured by removing distractions, improving composition, and correcting common photography mistakes.
Clean Up can remove larger distractions
Clean Up has received a major upgrade in iOS 27. While the original version worked best for removing small objects, the new version can now handle larger and more complex distractions while generating more realistic backgrounds.
Users can choose between Fast, High Quality, and Auto modes. Fast is ideal for simple edits, while High Quality focuses on more detailed scenes. Auto automatically selects the best option for the image.
Extend lets you expand photos beyond their original frame
Extend is one of the most impressive additions to the iOS 27 Photos app. The feature uses generative AI to create additional content around a photo, allowing users to expand the image beyond its original borders.
This can be useful for improving composition, creating space around a subject, or fixing photos that were cropped too tightly. Apple says Extend allows users to expand a photo by up to 25% on each side while maintaining a natural look.
The same technology is also used to help wallpapers better fit the iPhone display.
Reframe can change perspective after a photo is taken
Using spatial information captured by the camera along with AI-generated content, Reframe allows users to adjust the perspective of a photo after it has been taken. You can touch and drag to reposition the image and simulate a different camera angle.
Apple recently explained that Reframe only generates new content where necessary. The goal is to improve composition while preserving the authenticity of the original moment.
Image Playground now supports photorealistic edits
Users can now create photorealistic edits, add objects using natural language prompts, combine multiple photos, and modify specific parts of an image by selecting them directly. Apple has also added support for multiple aspect ratios, including portrait, landscape, square, and wallpaper formats.
Some Apple Intelligence features will have daily usage limits, with higher allowances available through eligible iCloud+ plans.
Shared Albums become much more useful
Apple is making several improvements to Shared Albums that should make collaboration easier.
Users can now invite Android and Windows users to contribute to iCloud Shared Albums. Albums can also be set to expire after 30 days, making them ideal for vacations, events, and temporary projects.
Other additions include:
- Emoji reactions for photos
- Activity history logs
- Upload links for contributors
- Easier album invitations
- Better permissions controls
- Separate filtering for photos and videos
Save video frames and rate your favorite photos
The iOS 27 Photos app finally allows users to save individual frames from videos as standalone photos.
Apple is also introducing star ratings and keyword support. Photos and videos can be rated from one to five stars, making it easier to organize large libraries and quickly find favorite images.
New slideshow tools make sharing easier
Slideshows are no longer limited to Memories. Users can now create slideshows from any album or group of selected photos. Slideshows can be customized with transition effects, music, and timing preferences before being exported as a video for sharing.
New utilities help organize your library
Apple has added two new Utilities categories in the Photos app.
Captured by Me automatically gathers photos taken with your iPhone, including images from current and previous devices. Identity Documents collects photos of passports, licenses, and similar documents into a dedicated section for easier access.
Faster iCloud syncing and performance improvements
A new Sync Immediately option allows users to prioritize iCloud uploads whenever needed. When enabled, newly captured photos and videos are uploaded right away rather than waiting for battery-optimized syncing schedules.
Apple has also improved overall performance throughout the app. The Collections tab loads faster, newly captured photos appear more quickly, and search results now surface better photos of people and pets.
Additional improvements include support for specific pets in Photo Shuffle wallpapers, the ability to include photos of yourself in Photo Shuffle, and a new Show Selected view that makes batch editing easier.
iOS 27 Photos app compatibility
The new Apple Intelligence editing tools require a device that supports Apple Intelligence, including the iPhone 15 Pro and newer models.
Other Photos app improvements are available on all iPhones that support iOS 27, including iPhone 11 and later.
