Last updated: October 14, 2026. Disclosure: ProRemover publishes this page.
How we compared. This is a specification comparison based on Apple, Google and Samsung's official support pages, checked October 14, 2026. We have not run side-by-side image tests, so we don't rank output quality.
All three big phone ecosystems now ship a built-in eraser. If your phone supports one, it's usually the quickest free option. The real differences are which devices, which app and which regions.
At a glance
| Apple Clean Up | Google Magic Eraser | Samsung Object Eraser | |
|---|---|---|---|
| App | Photos | Google Photos | Gallery (photo editor) |
| Platforms | iPhone, iPad, Mac | Android and iOS (Google Photos app); Chromebook Plus | Galaxy devices |
| Device requirement | iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max; iPad with A17 Pro or M1+; Mac with M1+ | At least 3 GB RAM and Android 8.0 / iOS 15 or higher; Chromebook Plus with ChromeOS 118+ | Depends on model and carrier |
| Software | iOS / iPadOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1 (EU: iOS/iPadOS 18.4) | Google Photos app; features roll out by device | Latest Gallery / Photo Editor; may need enabling in Labs |
| Cost | Included | "No subscription required" | Included |
| Extras noted officially | n/a | Also Unblur, Portrait light, etc. | Erase shadow, Erase reflection on supported models |
| Notable limits | Not in mainland China for devices bought there or China Apple Accounts | Editing not supported on web | "May not be available depending on the service provider or model" |
| Source | Apple | Google blog, Google Store | Samsung UK, Samsung India |
Apple Clean Up
Clean Up is powered by Apple Intelligence and lives in the Photos app.
- Devices: iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, any iPad with A17 Pro or M1 and later, and Macs with M1 or later.
- Software: iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 or macOS Sequoia 15.1. EU residents need iOS/iPadOS 18.4 or later on iPhone and iPad.
- China: Clean Up doesn't currently work on devices bought in mainland China, or in mainland China when the Apple Account region is also mainland China (Apple Support, checked 2026-10-14).
Best for: owners of a supported iPhone, iPad or Mac.
Google Photos Magic Eraser
Google made Magic Eraser available to Google Photos users with no subscription.
- Requirements: at least 3 GB RAM and Android 8.0 or iOS 15 or higher, or a Chromebook Plus on ChromeOS 118+. Feature availability varies by device (Google).
- How to open it: Edit → Actions → Magic Eraser (Google Photos Help).
- No web: editing features are "not currently supported on web" (Google Store, checked 2026-10-14).
Best for: anyone with Google Photos on a reasonably recent phone, including iPhones without Apple Intelligence.
Samsung Object Eraser
Object Eraser is in the Gallery editor.
- Turning it on: on some devices you enable it first via Edit → More options → Labs.
- Extra tools: supported models also offer Erase shadow and Erase reflection.
- Availability: Samsung says it "may not be available depending on the service provider or model" (Samsung UK, Samsung India, checked 2026-10-14).
Best for: Galaxy owners who edit in Gallery.
Which one can you use?
- iPhone 15 Pro or newer, updated: Clean Up, and you can also install Google Photos for Magic Eraser.
- Older iPhone: Clean Up isn't supported, but Google Photos Magic Eraser may be if your phone meets the iOS 15 / 3 GB RAM minimum.
- Pixel or other Android: Magic Eraser through Google Photos.
- Galaxy: Object Eraser in Gallery, plus Magic Eraser through Google Photos.
When a web tool helps
Built-ins are tied to a device, an app and sometimes a region. A browser tool can help when:
- You're on a computer without a supported app: for example, a Windows PC, or editing on the web, where Google says its editing isn't supported.
- Your device or region isn't supported: an older iPhone, or Apple Intelligence regional limits.
- You need other cleanup types: text, stickers, emoji, glare, or batches of images.
- You want to compare results: try the same photo in a second tool.
ProRemover runs in the browser.
- Free: you can upload and preview without an account.
- Paid: HD export and instant processing need credits. Starter is $9.90/month, or buy one-time credit packs (pricing, checked 2026-10-14).
- Trade-off: if your phone's built-in eraser already works for you, it's free and you may not need us.
FAQ
Which is best? We haven't tested quality side by side. In practice, the best one is whichever your device supports. Is Magic Eraser free on iPhone? Google says it's available to Google Photos users with no subscription, on iOS 15+ devices with at least 3 GB RAM. Why don't I see Object Eraser on my Galaxy? It may need enabling in Labs, and availability depends on model and carrier. Does Clean Up work in China? Not currently for devices bought in mainland China, per Apple. Can I remove people with these? Yes. All three describe removing people or distractions. See also remove people from photo.