Removing the background from a photo on Android is simpler than most people expect. The method depends on your phone. Unlike the iPhone's dedicated Lift Subject feature, Android does not have one universal command for this. If you own a recent Samsung Galaxy phone, you already have a built-in cut-out tool. For other Android devices, a web-based background remover in Chrome works just as well.
Samsung's Built-in Subject Cut-Out
On Samsung Galaxy phones running One UI 5.1 or later, you can lift a figure out of any photo directly in the Samsung Gallery app. This feature arrived with the Galaxy S23 series in 2023 and then reached other Galaxy models through software updates. Open a photo in Samsung Gallery, then press and hold your finger on the person or object. After a moment, it is outlined with a white glow. You have selected it. Release your finger, and a small toolbar appears with options to copy, share, or save the cutout as a separate image.
This built-in tool is ideal for quick edits. It requires no third-party app. Copy the cutout to the clipboard and paste it into another app, or save it directly as a new image. The saved file is a PNG, which preserves transparency. You can place the cutout on any background later.
How to Save the Cutout as a Transparent PNG
After long-pressing the figure, tap the save icon in the toolbar. Samsung Gallery saves the cutout as a new PNG file in your collection. The background of that new image is transparent. Open it in any editing app and place it over another photo without a white box. To share the cutout, choose the share icon and send it to a messaging app or email. The recipient receives a PNG with transparency intact, as long as the app does not convert it to JPEG.
Using a Web Background Remover in Chrome
No Samsung phone? Your Galaxy model may not support the long-press cut-out. You can still remove a background directly from your browser. A web-based background remover works in Chrome on any Android phone. You do not need to install anything. Open the website, upload your photo, and download the result.
To use this method, open Chrome on your phone and go to a background remover website. Tap the upload button. The system file picker opens. From there, choose a photo from your Google Photos, collection, or file manager. After the site processes the image, a download button appears. Tap it. The transparent PNG saves to your phone.
Step-by-Step: Remove Background in Chrome
- Open Chrome on your Android phone.
- Go to a web-based background remover site.
- Tap the upload button.
- In the file picker, select your photo from Photos, Gallery, or Files.
- Wait for the site to process the image.
- Tap the download button to save the transparent PNG.
Chrome saves downloads to the Downloads folder by default. Find the file there or in your notification panel. To use the image in another app, open the Downloads folder in your file manager and share it.
Saving as PNG Why it Matters
When you remove a background, save the result as a PNG file. PNG supports transparency. The background becomes see-through. JPEG does not support transparency. Save a cutout as a JPEG, and the background fills with white. That defeats the purpose. Always choose PNG when saving or exporting your cutout.
Most background removal tools, including Samsung's built-in feature and web-based services, save the output as PNG automatically. Using a third-party app or a manual selection tool? Double-check the file format before saving. On Android, verify the file extension in your file manager. A file named cutout.png has transparency. cutout.jpg does not.
Dealing with Difficult Edges
Removing a background is not always perfect. The most common problem areas are busy backgrounds, fine hair, and figures similar in color to the background. These situations produce rough or jagged edges on the cutout. If your first attempt does not look clean, try a photo with a simpler background. A solid color or a plain wall works. Choose a figure that contrasts with the background. The tool separates the two more easily.
Some tools offer manual refinement options, like a brush to add or remove areas. If your phone supports it, use Samsung's built-in editor to fine-tune the selection after long-pressing. For most casual use, the automatic selection is good enough. Perfect edges are not always necessary. Place the cutout on a busy background, and imperfections become less visible.
Other Android Phones What Works
Stock Android, which runs on Pixel phones and many other devices, does not have a system-wide background removal command. You cannot long-press a figure in the default photo app and get a cutout. You are not out of luck. The browser method works on any Android phone, including budget models and older devices. As long as you have Chrome installed, use a web-based remover.
Some manufacturers add their own tools. Certain phones from other brands include a similar long-press feature in their photo apps, but the behavior varies. If your phone does not have it, stick with the browser route. It is consistent, works everywhere, and requires no installation. You can also use the same browser method on a Samsung phone if you prefer not to use the built-in tool.
Using the Cutout in Other Apps
Once you have a transparent PNG, you can use it in many ways. Paste it into a photo editor to create a composite image. Add it to a document. Share it on social media. On Android, share the PNG directly from your photo collection or file manager. To place the cutout over another photo, open the background image in an editor, then import the PNG as a layer. Most editing apps support this, including free ones.
For quick sharing, copy the cutout to the clipboard and paste it into a messaging app. Some apps convert the image to JPEG when pasting. That loses transparency. To avoid this, share the PNG file directly instead of copying and pasting. The same applies when sending via email or messaging apps. Attach the PNG file.