A Practical Guide To Using Apple Photo Editor for Beautiful Photos

Use Apple photo editor to improve photos, add artistic effects, adjust colors, and make images perfect for social media, personal, or professional projects. Moreover, to create professional photo edits on Mac, use the Capcut desktop video editor.

apple photo editor
CapCut
CapCut
Sep 9, 2025
13 min(s)

If you enjoy capturing memories on your iPhone or Mac, you often need a tool to make those photos look their best. The Apple photo editor helps you enhance colors, crop images, remove unwanted objects, and add creative effects with ease. Whether you are fixing everyday snapshots or designing images for social media, it makes the process simple and quick.

In this article, you will learn how to effectively use the Apple app store photo editor step by step.

Table of content
  1. What is Apple AI photo editor
  2. Why choose Apple photo editor for your photos
  3. Key capabilities of the built-in Apple photo editor
  4. How to use Apple photo editor on Mac
  5. How to use Apple photo editor on iPhone
  6. Limitations of Apple photo editor
  7. An easy way to elevate photo editing skills on Mac with CapCut
  8. Conclusion
  9. FAQs

What is Apple AI photo editor

Apple photo editor is a smart tool that uses artificial intelligence to improve your photos automatically. It can enhance colors, adjust lighting, remove background objects, and even suggest creative edits. The AI analyzes your image and applies professional-looking changes in seconds. This makes photo editing faster and easier, even for users with little experience.

Why choose Apple photo editor for your photos

When it comes to editing photos on Apple devices, choosing the right tool can make a big difference. The Apple photo editor app stands out because it combines ease of use, speed, and high-quality results. Here's why it is considered one of the best choices for your images:

  • Seamless Apple integration

The Apple photo editor works perfectly with iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Your photos can be accessed directly from the Photos app without extra steps. Using it, you can sync edits across devices, making it simple to work on your images anytime.

  • User-friendly interface

Even beginners can use the best Apple photo editor due to its clean and easy-to-navigate design. Tools and features are arranged logically, so you can find what you need quickly. Apple's photo editor ensures editing feels smooth and stress-free.

  • High-quality output

The Apple photo editor maintains the original clarity and colors of your images. Edits look professional without losing detail. Using this tool, you can create pictures that are ready to share or print at high resolution with ease, speed, and reliable editing results every time.

  • Quick editing tools

With the best Apple photo editor, you can make changes fast. Features like auto-enhance, filters, and cropping save time while giving impressive results. It is designed to make photo editing efficient without compromising quality, helping users create stunning images effortlessly for personal or professional use.

  • Versatile photo support

The Apple photo editor supports many file types, including JPEG, PNG, and HEIF. You can edit both regular photos and more advanced formats like RAW. Using this Apple AI photo editor, you have the flexibility to work on any image you need.

Key capabilities of the built-in Apple photo editor

Editing photos on your Apple devices is easier with tools that are already built in. The Apple AI photo editor offers several smart features that help improve your images quickly. Whether you want to make small adjustments or creative edits, the below listed capabilities make your photos look professional:

  • Crop and rotate

The Apple default photo editor lets you crop and rotate images effortlessly. You can adjust the frame to focus on the main subject or straighten a tilted photo for a cleaner look. These changes are simple, precise, and help your photos appear well-composed, balanced, and professional in appearance.

  • Adjust colors

With the Apple iOS photo editor, you can change brightness, contrast, and saturation to enhance your images. It helps bring out natural colors and make photos more vibrant and lively. Fine-tuning tools give you complete control over color adjustments, helping your pictures look bright, vivid, and visually appealing.

  • Apply filters

Applying filters with the Apple app store photo editor is quick, easy, and very effective. Filters can add mood, style, or artistic effects to your photos in just seconds. You can preview different styles, experiment with creative looks, and choose the perfect filter to make your images visually stunning.

  • Remove unwanted elements

The Apple AI photo editor in iOS 18 can remove small distractions or objects from your pictures effortlessly. Using smart AI tools, it blends the background seamlessly and naturally. This ensures your edits look professional and clean without leaving any visible traces or imperfections behind.

  • Auto-enhance photos

Apple's AI photo editor can enhance lighting, colors, and clarity with a single tap. It works well for those looking for fast professional results without a hefty investment in time. This feature immediately improves the quality of your picture and creates the impression that it is sharper, brighter, and more dynamic.

  • Markup and text

With the Apple default photo editor, you can add drawings, shapes, and text directly onto your photos easily. This feature is perfect for annotations, highlighting important details, or creating eye-catching social media graphics. It allows you to personalize your images creatively while keeping them visually engaging.

How to use Apple photo editor on Mac

The Apple photo editor on Mac is an easy and professional way to make your images better, fast. From adjusting colors to applying filters to cropping photos, the Photos app comes stocked with the tools you need, all in one place. It's great for newbies or expert filters, and it's already installed on your Mac. Here are some simple steps to use it on your Mac:

    STEP 1
  1. Open the Photos app and select an image

Launch the "Photos" app on your Mac. Browse your library and double-click the image you want to edit to open it in full view.

Accessing the Apple photo editor on Mac
    STEP 2
  1. Edit your photo using built-in tools

Click the "Edit" button in the upper-right corner to access the editing menu. Use options like "Crop", "Filters", "Adjust", and "Retouch" to enhance colors, fix blemishes, and apply creative effects.

Editing image with Apple default photo editor
    STEP 3
  1. Export your edited image

After finishing your edits, click "Done" in the top right corner to save your image to the gallery and keep it stored safely.

Exporting the image from Apple photo editor

How to use Apple photo editor on iPhone

Editing photos on your iPhone is quick and easy using the built-in Apple photo editor in the Photos app. You can adjust brightness, color, sharpness, apply filters, and more to make your images look their best. The tools are intuitive and perfect for both beginners and experienced users. Below are some quick steps to get started with Apple photo editor on iPhone:

    STEP 1
  1. Open the Photos app and select a photo

Launch the "Photos" app and choose the image you want to edit. Tap "Edit" in the top right corner to access the editing tools.

    STEP 2
  1. Use editing tools to adjust your photo

At the bottom of the screen, tap the "Adjust" icon (dial) to change brightness, color, and sharpness. Swipe across the row to access additional adjustment options for precise editing.

    STEP 3
  1. Save or share your edited photo

Once you're satisfied with your edits, tap "Done" to save your changes. You can now share your enhanced photo via messages, social media, or save it to your library.

Saving the edited image from Apple photo editor on iPhone

Limitations of Apple photo editor

While the Apple photo editor is easy to use and convenient, it does have some limitations for users who want more advanced features. Understanding these restrictions can help you decide when to use them and when to look for alternative editing tools. Here are some of its limitations:

  • Limited advanced tools

The Apple intelligence photo editor provides essential editing features but lacks many professional-level tools. Advanced options like detailed curves, layer-based editing, or complex masking are not available. Users looking for in-depth control might find this limiting compared to full desktop editors.

  • Few customization options

You can use the Apple iOS photo editor to add filters and make basic adjustments, but you won't have much control over that process. You can't make or store your own custom presets, and there's limited editing flexibility. This makes it less right for photographers who prefer a high level of customization.

  • No RAW support

There is no native Apple photo editor that fully supports RAW images on the iPad yet. RAW images have better quality and give more options for editing, so not having this support makes it harder for professional photographers who need detailed, flexible, and reliable editing features daily.

  • Basic export formats

Using the Apple intelligence photo editor, you are limited to standard formats like JPEG or PNG. Advanced formats like TIFF or PSD are not supported for export. This can be a drawback for users who need high-resolution or print-ready files.

  • Lacks third-party plugins

The Apple iPad photo editor does not allow third-party plugins or extensions. This restricts access to additional creative tools and effects available in other photo editing software. Users looking for extended functionality may need to use external apps alongside it.

The Apple photo editor is simple and convenient but has limitations for advanced users, such as fewer tools, limited customization, and no RAW support. While it works well for quick edits, those needing more features may look elsewhere. For more creative control and advanced editing, tools like CapCut provide a great alternative.

An easy way to elevate photo editing skills on Mac with CapCut

The CapCut desktop video editor is a versatile tool that goes beyond basic photo editing on Mac. It lets you combine images, add dynamic effects, and create visually striking content for social media or presentations. Using it alongside your Mac photo edits can take your visuals to a whole new level, giving you more creative control and professional results with ease.

Key features

The CapCut desktop video editor has a range of advanced features that help elevate your photo and image editing workflow on Mac. Here are some of its standout features:

  • Smart AI photo editing options

Automatically enhance your images with AI color correction for lighting, color, and clarity, saving significant time on manual edits while improving overall visual impact.

  • Efficient AI image generator

Quickly create unique images from text prompts or creative concepts, ideal for social media visuals, marketing projects, and professional design workflows.

  • Creative filter collection for images

Apply artistic and thematic filters to instantly change the mood, style, or tone of your photos, making them more visually appealing and engaging.

  • One-click image resizer

Use the bulk image resizer to resize images for different platforms, social media posts, or print purposes without losing quality, simplifying your editing and publishing workflow.

  • Supports various export options (PNG, JPEG)

Easily save your edited images in multiple formats suitable for web, social media, professional use, or client delivery with flexibility and convenience.

  • Upscale image resolution

Increase image resolution for high-quality prints, detailed visuals, or larger displays while preserving clarity, sharpness, and overall quality.

  • Edit image backgrounds

Replace or remove backgrounds to create vibrant product shots, thumbnails, or creative compositions that stand out for presentations or social media.

  • AI-driven image to video

Transform static images into dynamic, engaging videos using AI, perfect for social media reels, presentations, and other creative content projects.

Interface of the CapCut desktop video editor - a versatile tool for image editing

How to enhance images with CapCut's advanced tools

Users can download the CapCut desktop video editor by visiting the official website. Click the download button below on Mac and wait for the installer to complete. Once downloaded, open the file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the editor.

    STEP 1
  1. Import the image

Open the CapCut desktop video editor and navigate to "Image editing" > "New image". Inside the "Upload" tab, select and insert the image you wish to modify, enhance, and adjust accordingly.

Importing an image into the CapCut desktop video editor
    STEP 2
  1. Enhance the image

Begin by enhancing the image's colors and overall appearance. To do this, open the "Filters" tab, browse through the library, and select a filter you like to instantly apply it. For an Instagram post, resize the image to 9:16 using the "Resize" or "Crop" feature. Next, add text by going to the "Text" tab and choosing your preferred template. Finally, adjust the text's size, color, and position to make it stand out on the image.

Enhancing the image with AI tools in the CapCut desktop video editor
    STEP 3
  1. Download and share

Once your picture has been fully edited and customized, choose "Download all" at the upper-right corner. You may either click "Download" to store it locally or "Copy as PNG" for other options. To share online, use the social media buttons for Facebook, Instagram, and more.

Downloading the image from the CapCut desktop video editor

Conclusion

The Apple photo editor is a convenient and easy-to-use tool for enhancing your photos on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It allows you to adjust colors, crop images, apply filters, and fix small issues quickly. While it works well for basic edits, it has some limitations for advanced users who need more professional tools. For those looking to take their images further with creative effects, high-resolution edits, and AI-powered features, the CapCut desktop video editor is a great companion.

FAQs

    1
  1. Is the free Apple photo editor integrated with iCloud?

Yes, the Apple photo editor is fully integrated with iCloud, allowing your edits and photos to sync automatically across all Apple devices. This makes it easy to access your images on iPhone, iPad, and Mac without manually transferring files. It ensures your photo library is always up to date. For more advanced editing and creative effects, the CapCut desktop video editor is an excellent addition.

    2
  1. How much storage does the Apple photo editor on Mac consume?

The Apple photo editor on Mac is lightweight and does not take up much storage, as it is part of the built-in Photos app. Your main storage usage comes from the images themselves rather than the app. Regular photo backups help manage storage efficiently. For handling large files or high-resolution edits, the CapCut desktop video editor provides more flexibility and powerful tools.

    3
  1. Does the Apple photo editor work differently on iPhone and Mac?

Yes, the Apple photo editor offers a slightly different interface and feature set on iPhone compared to Mac. Mobile editing is more touch-focused and simplified, while Mac provides more precise controls and editing options. Both versions cover essential adjustments like color, crop, and filters. For advanced edits, AI enhancements, and creative effects, the CapCut desktop video editor is a great complement.

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