How to Cut and Paste Photos on iPhone: 4 Ways to Enhance Boring Images

Use built-in feature to cut and paste photos on iPhone (iOS 16+)

If you're wondering how to cut and paste photos on iPhone without downloading any third-party apps, iOS 16 makes it incredibly simple. Apple introduced a native feature that lets you isolate and copy subjects from photos using built-in AI. It's a fast and intuitive way to create custom edits, share visuals, or insert cutouts into messages and notes.

STEP 1
1. Open your desired photo in the Photos app

Start by launching the Photos app on your iPhone. Browse your photo library and tap to open the image that contains the subject you want to cut out.

STEP 2
1. Tap and hold the subject to trigger AI detection

Press and hold your finger on the subject (a person, pet, or object). The iPhone's smart AI will automatically detect and highlight the subject, creating a clean cutout around it.

STEP 3
1. Copy or share the isolated subject

Once the subject is lifted, a menu will pop up with options like "Copy" or "Share." You can paste the cutout into Notes, Messages, Mail, or even another app that supports pasting images.

Use gesture controls to cut and paste pictures on iPhone across apps

Looking for a faster way to transfer content between apps? Apple's three-finger gesture system is a built-in iOS feature designed for quick actions like copy and paste. It's a time-saving method, especially useful when multitasking between editing, messaging, or note-taking apps. With just a few intuitive gestures, you can cut and paste visual content across your iPhone apps without tapping any buttons.

STEP 1
1. Select content from an app or browser

Begin by opening any app—such as Notes, Safari, or a photo editing app—and highlight the photo or section you wish to copy. Make sure the item is selected and ready for the next gesture-based action.

STEP 2
1. Use a three-finger pinch-in to copy

Place three fingers on the screen and perform a quick pinch-in gesture. You'll see a copy animation appear at the top of the screen, confirming that the item is copied to your clipboard.

STEP 3
1. Switch apps and pinch out to paste

Now move to the app where you want to paste the image or content, such as Notes. Perform a pinch-out gesture using three fingers. The copied item will instantly appear in the new location, ready to use or edit.

How to cut and paste photos on iPhone using drag and drop

Wondering how to cut and paste pictures in iPhone with precision? The drag-and-drop feature is an intuitive tool built into iOS, especially useful for moving images between apps in real time. It's perfect for social media posts, notes, or creative workflows. This multitouch function shines when you need to shift visuals between apps with minimal taps.

STEP 1
1. Long-press to lift the photo

Open your Photos app and press and hold the image you want to move. The photo will slightly "lift" and follow your finger—this means it's ready to be dragged.

STEP 2
1. Use your other hand to open a second app

While still holding the photo, use your other hand to swipe up and open another app like Notes, Messages, or Instagram. The image remains attached to your finger, floating on-screen.

STEP 3
1. Drop the image in your desired spot

Navigate to the desired spot within the second app and lift your finger to drop the image. It will be instantly pasted into the new app, ready to use or share.

Use CapCut App to cut and paste pictures on iPhone

If you're looking for more control and creative options beyond built-in tools, the CapCut App is your go-to solution. It's perfect for anyone wanting to cut and paste pictures on iPhone with professional results. From removing backgrounds to layering visuals and adding effects, CapCut's AI-powered editor makes photo customization fast, simple, and free—even for beginners.

3 Easy steps to cut and paste pictures on iPhone using CapCut App

Ready to try it? Click the button below to start the creative journey. Follow the steps below to create your own custom photo edits with CapCut App.

STEP 1
1. Open the "Remove background" tool and upload your photo

Open the CapCut App, go to "All tools", and tap "Remove background" under the Photo editing section. Choose the image you want to edit from your gallery and tap "Next." CapCut App automatically detects the subject and removes the background in one tap.

STEP 2
1. Refine and replace the background

Use tools like "Manual select", "Eraser", or "Quick select" to fine-tune the cutout. Then tap on the "Photo" icon to add a new backdrop. Alternatively, tap "Background" to choose a solid color from existing themes. Layers allow you to view and adjust both subject and background for perfect alignment.

STEP 3
1. Export and save your edited photo

Once satisfied, tap "Export" in the top-right corner to save your edited image in high resolution. You can directly share it to TikTok or save it to your device with no watermark—free of charge.

Why CapCut App is the best choice for cut & paste editing

• AI precision: The CapCut App's background remover uses advanced AI to automatically detect and isolate people, pets, or objects in any photo. This ensures clean and precise cutouts without manual effort. Whether you're editing selfies or product shots, the results look polished in seconds.
• Layering made easy: The CapCut App lets you easily add and arrange multiple photos on one canvas. You can resize, rotate, or overlap cutouts to create collages, storyboards, or multi-element posts. It's ideal for users who want creative freedom with minimal complexity.
• All-in-one tool: With the CapCut App, you get more than just cut-and-paste features—it includes filters, text, stickers, face retouching tools, and lighting adjustments all in one editor. This makes it a powerful solution for everything from casual edits to social media content.
• Cross-platform: The CapCut App works not only on iPhone, but also on iPad, Android, and desktop platforms. You can start a project on one device and finish on another without losing progress. This cross-device compatibility makes editing more flexible and convenient.

Creative ideas for cut and paste photo edits

Cut and paste photo editing isn't just functional—it opens up endless creative possibilities. Whether you're posting online or crafting something personal, these ideas can help you make the most of your edits.

• Create social media collages or meme edits: Use cut and paste tools to layer photos, emojis, and text into fun collages or meme-style posts. This is perfect for storytelling, trend participation, or adding humor to your feed.
• Design clean product mockups for online stores: Swap cluttered backgrounds with minimal, branded visuals to make your products stand out. Cutout tools help present items professionally, increasing appeal for e-commerce or marketplace listings.
• Build vision boards or digital scrapbooks: Combine images, quotes, and colors to visualize goals or capture memories. Cut and paste makes it easy to arrange and customize each element for a meaningful, organized layout.
• Create birthday, wedding, or greeting card visuals: Celebrate special moments by layering photos with festive text and decorative stickers. Whether for digital sharing or printing, this adds a personal, handcrafted touch to your greeting.

Conclusion

To cut and paste a photo on an iPhone, whether you want to use its native tools, such as drag-and-drop, or 3rd party tools that offer more editing power, there is a wide range of options available. Apple has awesome built-in quick cutouts, but CapCut App takes it to the next level. With AI-powered background removal, adaptable layering, and a myriad of enhancement options, CapCut App transforms a basic edit into polished and creative visuals. From collages and product posts to birthday designs, CapCut App can help make it fun and easy. Download CapCut App today and turn your photos into great content in just a few taps.

FAQs

1
1. Can I cut and paste parts of a photo instead of the entire subject on an iPhone?

The iOS software enables you to separate full subjects like people and pets, but you cannot cut parts of a photo out with exactness. For that kind of precision, CapCut App offers manual cutout tools where you can select and cut out precisely what you need, whether it is a hand, face or the background.

2
1. Is it possible to undo or edit pasted photos later?

Yes, once pasted into the CapCut App, any photo or element you paste is a selectable layer that can be moved. You can resize, just move it, delete it, or do anything you want to that layer right up into the final image export. This gives you maximum flexibility and creative control.

3
1. Will cutting and pasting photos reduce image quality?

Built-in tools may not always preserve image quality, but CapCut app generates high-resolution images for professional-looking results. It retains image quality even after multiple edits, so it's a great option for social media posts, prints, and any projects where you need professional-quality photos.