To remove a distracting object in Photos on macOS 27, open the picture, select Edit, then choose Tools > Clean Up. Use the Erase brush to click, brush over, or circle the object, then select Done.
Remove an object with Clean Up
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Open Photos and double-click the picture you want to edit.
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Click Edit in the toolbar, then choose Tools > Clean Up. Apple’s Mac Photos guide also describes Clean Up as a toolbar control, so the route may look different across guide or interface versions. See Apple’s Photos guide to removing distractions and imperfections.
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Select the brush beneath Erase. Adjust Size if needed, then click, brush over, or circle the object. Some objects may be highlighted automatically when Clean Up opens.
#1 Best Overall
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Inspect the edit and click Done when you are satisfied.
Improve precision and choose the right tool
Zoom in around detailed areas
Use the Zoom slider or pinch on the trackpad to enlarge the photo; drag the zoomed image to reposition it. A smaller brush can help keep your selection close to the object, especially where nearby details matter.
Rank #2
- AN AMAZING MAC AT A SURPRISING PRICE — With an incredibly portable and durable aluminum design, up to 16 hours of battery life,* and the A18 Pro chip, MacBook Neo is ready to go wherever school takes you.
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- FLY THROUGH EVERYDAY ASSIGNMENTS — Whether you’re cramming for finals, using Apple Intelligence* to summarize class notes, creating presentations, or even playing the latest Apple Arcade game,* MacBook Neo delivers the performance and AI capabilities you need to get things done.
- UP TO 16 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Neo delivers all day battery life, so you can power through from early morning classes to late night study sessions without worrying about plugging in.
- A VIBRANT 13-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Neo supports 1 billion colors, so photos and videos pop and text is crisp for easy reading.
Be careful around faces
Apple cautions that brushing over a person’s face may make it pixelated. Check faces and nearby detail after applying Clean Up, and adjust your selection if the result is not acceptable.
Use Retouch for small imperfections
Clean Up is intended for distracting objects in a photo. For small blemishes, dust specks, or similar imperfections, Apple’s Mac guide identifies Retouch as the more specific option; on Apple silicon Macs, its brush is under Retouch.
Rank #3
- AN AMAZING MAC AT A SURPRISING PRICE — With an incredibly portable and durable aluminum design, up to 16 hours of battery life,* and the A18 Pro chip, MacBook Neo is ready to go wherever school takes you.
- FOUR STUNNING COLORS. ONE DURABLE DESIGN — Choose from four beautiful colors — Silver, Blush, Citrus, or Indigo — each with a color-coordinated keyboard. And MacBook Neo is made with a durable recycled aluminum enclosure that helps it reach 60 percent recycled content by weight — the most ever in any Apple product.*
- FLY THROUGH EVERYDAY ASSIGNMENTS — Whether you’re cramming for finals, using Apple Intelligence* to summarize class notes, creating presentations, or even playing the latest Apple Arcade game,* MacBook Neo delivers the performance and AI capabilities you need to get things done.
- UP TO 16 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Neo delivers all day battery life, so you can power through from early morning classes to late night study sessions without worrying about plugging in.
- A VIBRANT 13-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Neo supports 1 billion colors, so photos and videos pop and text is crisp for easy reading.
Check Mac and regional availability
Apple lists a Mac with M1 or later and macOS Sequoia 15.1 as the baseline Mac hardware and software requirements for Clean Up. Its current guidance also qualifies availability by language and region: the Photos guide says Clean Up is available in most languages and regions, while the macOS 27 creative-tools guide says Apple Intelligence availability may vary and usage limits may apply. Apple notes special conditions for China and a separate EU availability qualification. Check Apple’s Clean Up requirements for your location and device, and its macOS 27 creative-tools guide for current availability details.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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Rank #4
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
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