A good background change app helps you transform you photos quickly and easily. Changing the background used to be a complicated job, and you needed specialist photo editing software. But that’s not the case anymore. As you’ll see in this article, there are plenty of smartphone apps that make it easy to change a background.
The Photo Background Changer app is our top recommendation. It does exactly what is says on the tin, allowing you to change the background on your images without much fuss. It’s simple, easy to use, and free.
If you want to learn more and see more of the best background change apps, keep reading.
The best background changer app should be easy enough for anyone to use. It should also be free, so no one is priced out of transforming their images.
There are some excellent camera apps and photo editing apps. And while we have included some more advanced editing apps in this article, we’ve tried to focus on more accessible applications.
Changing and removing backgrounds is becoming more popular. We’re seeing it more with sophisticated photo editing, but it’s also popular with social media users, influencers, and content creators.
Background removal tools are often included of larger photo apps. And there are dedicated background changer apps. We’ve included both types in this article.
You can see a quick overview of the best background changer apps in the table below. We look at each app in more detail in the following section.
Now we look at each background changer app in more detail.
| Brand |
Brand
Lyrebird Studio
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| Available for |
Available for
Android
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| Free? |
Free?
Free with in-app purchases
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| Key Features |
Key Features
Simple background changing tools
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| Best For |
Best For
Anyone looking for a simple app for changing photo backgrounds
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The Photo Background Changer app does exactly what you’d expect it to. It removes background from photos and allows you to replace it with something different. It’s a bit of a one-trick-pony, as it doesn’t have many other features. But if you want an app to change photo backgrounds, this is the best option.
Removing the original background could not be easier. The app automatically detects the subject in the photo, so you don’t have to highlight areas or use fiddly cutting tools. It’s then just a one-click operation to remove it.
Once removed, you can quickly add the new background. You don’t have the option to add your own background photos, but they have an extensive library you can choose from.
It isn’t a photo editing app, but you do have some tools for touchups and minor adjustments. This helps you blend the subject with their new background, making the image look like an original, untouched photo.
Brush and cut-and-paste tools help you fine-tune your edits. You can remove objects or even people. For example, if you have a photo in which you look fabulous and your friends look like trash, just cut them out.
The app makes it easy to share your transformed images on social media once you’re finished with them. You can upload photos directly to platforms like Instagram.
The main complaint about this app is the ads. They can be frustrating, but that’s the price you pay for a free app. It’s also only available for Android smartphones.
| Brand |
Brand
Prisma Labs
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| Available for |
Available for
Android and iOS
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| Free? |
Free?
Free with in-app purchases
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| Key Features |
Key Features
Hundreds of art styles, filters, and background templates
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| Best For |
Best For
Users looking for artistic background changes
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Prisma is a photo editing app that turns your photos into works on art. One of the main features is the background changing tool, which is one of the easiest ways to transform your dull images into something more vibrant.
Background editing is one of Prisma’s top selling points. Changing the background in selfies is a one-click operation. You can replace the original background with one of Prisma’s eye-catching templates. Or you can use another photo from your phone’s gallery.
You can also add artistic styles and filters to your photos. The stylish filters transform you images into something that will really stand out on social media. And you can turn your images into works of art, with paint and film photo styles.
One key aspect of the editing tools is that you can edit the subjects and background separately. This helps you get the final finish you want, giving you more creative freedom.
The basic Prisma app is free, but there are in-app upgrades you have to pay for. It’s available for Android and iOS systems.
| Brand |
Brand
LightX
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| Available for |
Available for
Android and iOS
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| Free? |
Free?
Free with in-app purchases
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| Key Features |
Key Features
AI background generator, editing tools
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| Best For |
Best For
Users looking for advanced background changing options
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LightX is one of the most advanced background changer apps there is. Using the power of artificial intelligence (AI), it helps you transform dull images into something more spectacular.
The app uses AI to detect the background and separate it from the subject. You don’t need to cut the subject out manually or use brush tools. The robot does it for you.
But the most impressive feature has to be the AI background generator. You feed it a few text prompts describing what you want and the AI machine generates a whole new background from scratch. The results are truly impressive.
You don’t have to use the robot to make your backgrounds. LightX also has an extensive library of pre-designed backgrounds you can apply quickly and easily.
The app has other AI features you can use to enhance your images. A text-to-image AI bot creates imagery and stickers. There’s an AI that replaces clothes. And there’s a Magic AI eraser that removes unwanted objects from your photos.
The basic version of the app is free, and this does include some background removal tools. However, some of the more advanced AI tools are only available once you sign up for a monthly subscription.
LightX: AI Photo Editor is available for Android and iOS systems.
| Brand |
Brand
Visu Entertainment
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| Available for |
Available for
Android and iOS
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| Free? |
Free?
Free
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| Key Features |
Key Features
Simple set of tools
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| Best For |
Best For
Tech-shy users looking for any easy option
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Auto Background Changer is the best app for users with no photo editing experience. It’s a basic, single-purpose app, but it delivers exactly what you want it too. It allows you to change the background in your photos with smart-looking results.
The background changing tools couldn’t be more simple. You have an auto mode that removes the background with one click. There’s an manual erase tool where you remove the background using your finger. And you have undo, redo, and reset tools.
There are cut and paste tools, so you can take elements from one image and insert them into another. And you can blur backgrounds to give portraits and selfies a lovely bokeh effect.
There isn’t much more to it than that. It has it’s limitations, but it’s a simple app anyone can use to change image backgrounds.
Auto Background Changer is available for Android and iOS smartphones.
| Brand |
Brand
Adobe
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| Available for |
Available for
Android and iOS
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| Free? |
Free?
Free if you have a Creative Cloud subscription
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| Key Features |
Key Features
Advanced editing tool set, RAW file editing
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| Best For |
Best For
Advanced image editing
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Adobe Photoshop Express is a condensed version of Adobe’s industry-leading photo editing software. And it’s one of the best smartphone apps for editing photos.
It isn’t a dedicated background change app, but you can remove and replace backgrounds using the extensive tool set. It’s a bit trickier to use than some of the simple apps, but you have far more creative control. You can use any image as a background, and you have editing tools to fineness your photos.
The app opens and edits RAW image files and well as JPEGs, giving you more power when editing. It also gives you filters, stamps, and custom watermarks.
Photoshop Express is another app that harnesses AI to streamline photo editing. The AI photo enhancer improves clarity, erases background noise, and dehazes images. You can even retouch portraits and selfies with just a tap of the screen.
Easily export finished images to social media with app integration links with Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
Adobe Photoshop Express is available for Android and iOS smartphones. However, it’s only free if you already have an Adobe subscription. That’s why it doesn’t feature higher on our list.
| Brand |
Brand
PhotoDirector
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| Available for |
Available for
Android and iOS
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| Free? |
Free?
Free with in-app purchases
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| Key Features |
Key Features
AI enhancer, AI avatar maker, advanced retouching tools
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| Best For |
Best For
Advanced features if you want to upgrade
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PhotoDirector: AI Photo Editor is a feature-packed app from CyberLink. The free version gives you tools to change your background and retouch your images. But it also has the best range of features if you’re willing to upgrade and pay.
The background change tool is available in the free version. And you can replace them using images from the PhotoDirector library or from your own smartphone camera reel.
You can also replace skies, choosing from the app’s sky gallery. It includes clear blue skies, overcast skies, and sunsets.
It also gives you tools to retouch your images. Removing red eye is simple, and there are specific tools for retouching selfies. You can also blur portrait backgrounds for a tasteful bokeh.
The app has more sophisticated tools, like white balance, HDR, and vignetting features. The AI Enhance, a flagship feature, improves all-round image quality with just one tap of the screen.
You can have fun creating stickers, applying filters, and adding text to your images. This app can take your social media profile to new heights.
The downside is that some of the best features are behind the paywall. But upgrading is worth it if you want the best image-enhancing tools.
PhotoDirector: AI Photo Editor is available for Android and iOS.
| Brand |
Brand
Cyberlink
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| Available for |
Available for
iOS
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| Free? |
Free?
Free with in-app purchases
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| Key Features |
Key Features
Photo and Video background editing tools
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| Best For |
Best For
Video and photo background editing
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Vivid Glam, another CyberLink app, makes it on to our list thanks to its photo and video editing tools. It’s a great background change app for content creators who use different types of media.
You can add any photo to create a new background in images, transforming selfies and portraits. And you can do the same with videos like vlogs. It brings a new dimension to your video content.
You can create perfect selfies with the touch-up tools. The tool set allows you to adjust skin tones, remove blemishes, and whiten your teeth. You can even reshape your face, helping you fix anything you might feel self-conscious about.
Like PhotoDirector, you do have to subscribe and pay to access the best, most advanced features. But the free version still gives you plenty of creative tools for editing photos and videos.
Vivid Glam Photo Video Retouch is only available for iPhones.
The app you choose depends on the kind of results you want to have. If you want your app to add background to photos, download a general editing app with newer background-changing features.
Your choice also depends on your personal preferences. Perhaps other tools, such as color adjustment or blur, are essential to you.
As long as you know what you want, you won’t make the wrong decision. Here are three attributes to look at for a background changer.
There are a few essential features you should look for in every background-removing app. It would be best to look at the accuracy and smoothness of the brush tools, the choice of backgrounds, and the option to add custom backgrounds.
An excellent way to judge the accuracy of each app is to watch editing videos on YouTube that feature the app you are considering. It lets you see how to use the app’s tools and watch editors in action.
It’s also worth looking at the difference between apps using a magic brush tool approach and an automatic background changer. If an app uses the brush tool approach, make sure you can zoom into the image to get the fine details.
A cheap automatic background changer may miss out on significant bits of information. Make sure you use a good one if this is your preferred approach.
If you want to sharpen your editing skills, invest in an app with all the tools like Photoshop.
Some photographers treat background apps like composite tools. They create fantastic art pieces featuring fantasy images or surreal collages.
You can also create complicated composites like this with advanced app features. One such app is LightX.
Other points to consider are how much you use the app and how straightforward you want the editing process.
This feature is vital for small businesses working on their social media account, where changing the background of products can make them more desirable. Of course, time is of the essence when working with many products. So a simple app is preferable.
Simplicity is also essential for people who are not the most tech-savvy. Photo editing apps often have too many options, and you need to spend a few hours familiarizing yourself with the tools.
Some of the apps we mentioned have only one function to change the background. An app like this is ideal for people who don’t have the time or energy to learn new software.
Our Urban Smartphone Minimalism e-book is a great way to test your background remover app and create colorful composites!
Thanks to improving technology, changing a photo background has never been easier. All the apps on this allow you to do just that on your smartphone. And each one gives you that power for free.
We included simple apps that change the background without much fuss. But we’ve also shown you more advanced apps with sophisticated editing tools for changing backgrounds and much more besides.
Photo Background Changer is our favorite app. It’s the perfect solution, delivering exactly what you want without upfront payments or subscription fees. It’s the best background change app right now.
