Replacing the background of a photo is one of the most popular operations when editing pictures on a smartphone. In the era of social networks and instant messaging, users want to create the perfect shot: remove unnecessary objects in the background, add creative textures, or completely change the environment. Fortunately, Android platform offers dozens of ways to solve this problem - from simple built-in tools to professional applications with artificial intelligence.

The main question that worries beginners: is it possible to do without complex manipulations? The answer is yes! Modern applications for Photoshop and complex manipulations? The answer is yes! Modern applications for Android automate the process so that even a user without experience can replace the background in a few clicks. However, the quality of the result depends on the chosen method, the resolution of the original photo and the contrast between the subject and the background. In this article we will analyze 5 proven ways to change the background of a photo directly on your smartphone, compare them in terms of speed, accuracy and hardware requirements.

1. Built-in Android tools: when you don’t need to install anything

Many users do not suspect that their smartphone can already edit the background without third-party applications. The functionality depends on the version Android and the manufacturer's shell (for example, MIUI, One UI, ColorOS), but almost all modern devices have basic capabilities.

The easiest way is to use the application Gallery (or Google Photos). In most cases, it’s enough to open a photo, click on the edit button (usually a pencil icon) and look for options like "Background", "Blur" or "Magic". For example, in Google Photos is available function "Erase object"that can remove unnecessary elements in the background, but it does not offer a full replacement of the background.

  • 📱 Samsung Galaxy (One UI): in the gallery editor there is a tool "Studio" with the option "Change background" —works on devices s Android 12+.
  • 📱 Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco (MIUI): the built-in editor offers "Magic brush" to remove objects, but to replace the background you will need a manual stroke.
  • 📱 Pixel (pure Android): Google Photos allows you to blur the background, but not replace it completely.
⚠️ Attention: Built-in tools often require good contrast between the object and background. If the photo shows a person in a white T-shirt against a white wall, automatic selection will not work.

Advantages of the method:

  • ✅ No need to download additional applications.
  • ✅ Fast - takes no more than a minute.
  • ✅ Free and without unnecessary water.

Disadvantages:

  • ❌ Limited capabilities - often you can only blur or remove the background, but not replace it.
  • ❌ Low accuracy in complex photos (hair, translucent objects).
📊 What brand of smartphone do you use?
Samsung
Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco
Google Pixel
Huawei/Honor
Other

2. Applications with artificial intelligence: changing the background in one click

If the built-in tools do not cope, specialized applications come to the rescue AI. They analyze the image, automatically select the main object and offer to replace the background with another one - from a gallery, a template, or even generated by a neural network. Such apps save time, but may require an Internet connection and payment for premium features.

Market leaders in 2026:

  • 🤖 Remove.bg —the most popular background removal application. Works offline, but to replace the background you will need a premium version.
  • 🎨 Background Eraser - a free tool with manual and automatic tracing. Supports saving in PNG with a transparent background.
  • 🌟 PhotoRoom —uses AI to accurately select objects, offers background templates (including animated ones).
  • 🖼️ Adobe Photoshop Express —semi-professional editor with function "Replacing the background" (requires registration).

Let's look at the process using an example PhotoRoom:

  1. Download the application from Google Play and open it.
  2. Upload a photo from the gallery or take a new photo.
  3. The application will automatically highlight the main one object. If necessary, adjust the outline manually.
  4. Click "Background" and select one of the options:
    • 📷 From gallery — any of your photos.
    • 🎨 Template — ready-made textures (sky, wall, abstraction).
    • 🤖 AI background —the neural network will generate a background to match the photo style.
  • Save the result in JPEG or PNG.
    • ⚠️ Attention: Free versions of applications often leave watermarks or limit the resolution of the output file. For example, in Remove.bg you can save photos for free only in 500×500 px.

    Choose a photo with good contrast between the subject and background

    Make sure that the main subject occupies most of the frame

    Check the lighting - shadows should not merge with the background

    Save the original in high resolution (minimum 1080p)

    -->

    Application Selection accuracy Free features Offline mode Watermark
    Remove.bg ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Removing background ✅ ❌ (in paid version)
    PhotoRoom ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Replacing background (limited templates) ❌ ✅ (on free backgrounds)
    Background Eraser ⭐⭐⭐ Manual/auto selection, background replacement ✅ ❌
    Adobe Photoshop Express ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Background replacement (1-2 times a month) ❌ ❌

    3. Manual selection in professional editors: for an ideal result

    If automatic tools leave artifacts (for example, they “cut off” hair or translucent objects), you will have to use manual selection. This method takes more time, but gives maximum accuracy. Suitable for portrait photos where details are important.

    The best applications for manual processing:

    • 🖌️ PicsArt - tool "Selection" with support for layers.
    • 🎭 Snapseed —function "Mask" for precise correction.
    • 🖥️ Lightroom Mobile —professional selection with a brush.
    • 🛠️ Toolwiz Photos —tool "Lasso" for complex contours.

    Step-by-step guide in PicsArt:

    1. Open the photo in the editor and select the tool "Selection" (scissors icon).
    2. Circle the object brush or lasso. For accuracy, zoom in with your fingers.
    3. Click "Done" —the object will be selected. If there are errors, use "Eraser" to correct.
    4. Add a new layer with the background:
      • 📸 Import another photo from the gallery.
      • 🎨 Select a color or gradient.
      • 🌄 Use templates from the library PicsArt.
  • Adjust the position of the layers and save the result in PNG (for transparency) or JPEG.

    • Tip: For complex objects (for example, animal fur or hairstyle) use "Mask mode" in Snapseed. It allows you to gradually “develop” the desired areas without affecting the background.

    💡

    If you often edit photos, create a folder in the gallery "Backgrounds" with textures and templates. This way you don’t have to look for a suitable background again every time.

    4. Online services: when you don’t want to download applications

    If there is little space on your smartphone or you prefer to work in a browser, you can use online editors. They do not require installation, but depend on Internet speed and may limit the size of downloaded files.

    Popular services:

    • 🌐 Remove.bg - removes the background in 5 seconds.
    • 🌐 Photopea - analogue Photoshop in the browser.
    • 🌐 Canva - simple editor with background templates.
    • 🌐 Fotor — AI for background replacement + collages.

    How to work in Photopea:

    1. Open the site in a browser Chrome or Firefox (desktop version of the site is recommended).
    2. Upload a photo via File → Open.
    3. Use the tool "Magic wand" (hotkey W) or "Quick selection" (Shift+W).
    4. Delete the background using the key Delete.
    5. Add a new background via File → Open as layer.
    6. Save the result to PNG (File → Export as → PNG).
    ⚠️ Attention: Online services can save uploaded photos on their servers. If you work with confidential images, use offline applications.
    How to bypass the restrictions of free online services?

    Many services (for example, Remove.bg) limit the resolution of free photos. To get high quality results:

    1. Split the original photo into several parts (for example, using Crop in the gallery).

    2. Process each part separately.

    3. Collect the final image into a collage (for example, in Google Photos or PicsArt).

    5. Automation through scripts: for advanced users

    If you often change the background on hundreds of photos (for example, for an online store), manual processing will take too much time. In this case, one of the easiest ways is to use an application (terminal emulator for Android) and library scripts based on Python or specialized utilities for Android.

    One of the easiest ways is to use the app Termux (terminal emulator for Android) and library rembg. This method is suitable for those who are willing to spend time setting up, but want to automate the process.

    Instructions:

    1. Install Termux from F-Droid (not from Google Play!).
    2. Enter the commands in order: 
      pkg update && pkg upgrade

      pkg install python
      

      pip install rembg
      

      pip install pillow

    3. Copy the photo to the folder ~/storage/shared/Download (or any other available one).
    4. Run the command to remove the background: 
      rembg i input.jpg output.png

      where input.jpg — original photo output.png —result with a transparent background.

    5. To add a new background, use ImageMagick: 
      composite output.png background.jpg final.jpg

    Advantages of the method:

    • ✅ Full automation - you can process hundreds of photos in minutes.
    • ✅ No resolution restrictions.
    • ✅ Works offline.

    Disadvantages:

    • ❌ Requires command line knowledge.
    • ❌ Possible errors on weak devices (required Android 8.0+ and at least 2 GB of RAM).
    💡

    Python scripts are the most powerful way to batch process photos, but are only suitable for users with technical skills.

    6. Specialized applications for portraits and selfies

    If you need to edit selfie or portraits, conventional tools may not be able to cope with delicate details (hair, glasses, jewelry). For such cases, there are applications optimized for working with faces.

    Top 3 applications for portraits:

    • 👩 FaceApp - automatically selects the face and offers to replace the background taking into account lighting.
    • 💇 YouCam Perfect —a tool "Background replacement" with support for makeup and retouching.
    • 📸 AirBrush —AI for accurately highlighting the contour of the head and hair.

    Features of working with portraits:

    • 🔹 Use a photo with uniform lighting —shadows on the face make it difficult to highlight.
    • 🔹 If the hair is disheveled, the application may “cut off” part of the strands. Manually modify it. outline.
    • 🔹 For group photos, it is better to use PhotoRoom or PicsArt —they support multiple objects.

    Example in FaceApp:

    1. Open the photo in the application and select "Editor".
    2. Go to the section "Background".
    3. The application will automatically select the face. If necessary, adjust the outline.
    4. Select a new background from the proposed templates or upload your own.
    5. Adjust the background for a natural look. Blur "Blur" or Lighten additional retouching is often used for portraits (smoothing the skin, changing facial features). Disable these options in the settings if you want to maintain naturalness. background for a natural look.
    ⚠️ Attention: Portrait apps often apply additional retouching (smoothing skin, changing facial features). Disable these options in the settings if you want to keep the look natural.

    Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

    The choice of method for replacing the background depends on your goals, skills and quality requirements. Below is a comparison table that will help you decide.

    Method Complexity Time Quality Suitable for Requirements
    Built-in tools ⭐ 1–2 min ⭐⭐ Simple photos with clear contrast Android 9.0+, manufacturer's shell
    Applications with AI ⭐⭐ 2–5 min ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Portraits, products, animals Internet (for some), 1–2 GB RAM
    Manual selection ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10–30 min ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Complex objects, professional tasks Patience, stylus (optional)
    Online services ⭐⭐ 3–10 min ⭐⭐⭐ One-time tasks, no space on the phone Stable Internet, browser
    Scripts (Termux) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5–15 min (setup) + 1 min/photo ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Batch processing, automation Android 8.0+, knowledge commands

    Recommendations for selection:

    • 📱 For quick editing (selfies, stories) - FaceApp or PhotoRoom.
    • 🎨 For creative projects (collages, design) - PicsArt or Canva.
    • 🛠️ For professional processing — Snapseed + manual selection.
    • 🤖 For automation (many photos) - Termux + rembg.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about replacing the background on Android

    ❓ Is it possible to replace the background on a photo without losing quality?

    Yes, if you save the result in a format PNG with a transparent background, and then overlay it on a new background in high resolution. However, with strong compression (for example, in . messengers) artifacts may appear. For maximum quality, use manual selection in Snapseed or Lightroom.

    ❓ Why does AI incorrectly highlight hair or animal fur?

    Artificial intelligence analyzes the contrast between the object and the background If the hair is light on a light background (or dark on a dark), the algorithm. "loses" the boundaries. Solution:

    • Use a photo with backlit (the hair will be more contrasting).
    • Refine the contour manually in PicsArt or Toolwiz.
    • Try specialized applications like AirBrush.

    ❓ How to replace the background on a video on Android?

    To replace the background on a video you will need specialized applications, such as:

    • CapCut — a tool "Chroma Key" for a green screen.
    • KineMaster —support for layers and masks.
    • PowerDirector —AI for background removal (requires a powerful smartphone).

    The process is more complicated than with photos: you need to stabilize the video, accurately select the object in each frame and select a background with similar lighting.

    ❓ Why does a gray halo appear around the object after replacing the background?

    This is an artifact that occurs due to inaccurate selection or image compressionTo remove the halo:

    1. Go back to the original photo and repeat the selection with greater precision.
    2. In the editor (for example, Snapseed) use the tool "Correction" to remove gray pixels around the edges.
    3. Add a light "Blur" (0.5-1 px) to the new background to smooth out the transition.

    ❓ Is it possible to replace the background on a photo taken on an old phone (Android 5.0–7.0)?

    Yes, but with limitations:

    • Use lightweight applications like Background Eraser or Toolwiz Photos.
    • Avoid AI tools - they require a lot of resources.
    • Process photos in low resolution (for example, 800×600 px).
    • If the phone is slow, try online services (for example, Remove.bg in the browser).

    On very old devices (for example, Android 4.4) there may not be enough memory for processing. In this case, transfer the photo to your computer and use GIMP or Photopea.