Combining two photos into one on a smartphone Samsung is a task faced by both professional photographers and ordinary users. Perhaps you want to create a collage for Instagram, combine screenshots into one image for a report, or just experiment with the design. Fortunately, you don’t have to use a computer or complex graphic editors to do this: everything can be done right on your phone in a few minutes.
In this article we will analyze 5 proven methods photo combinations on devices Samsung Galaxy (including models A54, S23 Ultra, S22+, A34, A14 and others). You'll learn how to use built-in tools, free apps from Samsung Gallery, free applications from Google Play, and secret features that many people don't know about. We will pay special attention to the nuances of working with image resolution, file formats (.jpg, .png) and maintaining quality after merging.
Important: if you work with high-resolution photographs (for example, pictures from a camera Samsung S23 Ultra format 108 MP), some applications may automatically compress the resulting image. We'll tell you how to avoid this.
1. Built-in Samsung Gallery tools: collages and editor
Many users do not know that the standard application Samsung Gallery (pre-installed on all phones Galaxy) already contains tools for creating collages and combining photos. This method does not require the installation of additional apps and is suitable for basic tasks.
To combine two photos:
- 📱 Open the application Gallery and select the first photo.
- 🖼️ Click button "Edit"** (pencil icon at the bottom of the screen).
- ✨ In the tools menu, find the tab "Collage" (may be called
"Layout"or"Templates"** depending on the version One UI). - ➕ Add a second photo by selecting it from the gallery.
- 🔄 Adjust the proportions, order of images and borders between them.
- 💾 Save the result in gallery or share directly in messengers.
Please note: Samsung Gallery available 6 standard collage templates (vertical, horizontal, 2×2 grid, etc.) If you need precise overlay of one image on another (for example, to create a double exposure effect), this method will not work - use specialized applications from the following. sections.
⚠️ Attention: In some regions, collage functions in Samsung Gallery may be limited due to firmware versions. If there is no button “Collage”**, update the application via Galaxy Store or use alternative methods.
2. Photo Editor application from Samsung: professional association
For users who need advanced editing capabilities Samsung offers a separate application Photo Editor (previously called Samsung Photo StudioIt is pre-installed on flagship models (for example, Galaxy S23 and newer) and is available for download in Galaxy Store.
Advantages of this tool:
- 🎨 Layers: the ability to overlay one image on top of another with transparency adjustment.
- 🖌️ Cropping tools: precise adjustment of photo borders.
- 🔍 Masks and selection: removing the background or cutting out objects to combine.
- 📏 Templates: more than 20 layout options for collages.
Instructions for combining photos via Photo Editor:
- Open the application and click
"Create" project" → "Collage" or "Edit photo"**.
- Select the first photo as the basis.
- Click
"Add layer" (icon «+» in the lower right corner) and upload a second photo.
- Use your fingers to resize, rotate or opacity the top layer.
- Apply effects (for example,
"Double exposure" in the menu "Effects") if necessary.
- Save the result in format
.png (supports transparency) or .jpg.
B Photo Editor you can save projects to the cloud Samsung Cloudto continue editing later on another device. This is especially convenient if you work with large files (for example, photos in resolution 50+ MP).
Make backup copies of original photos|Charge your phone at least 30%|Close background applications for smooth operation|Select a saving format (.png for transparency)|Check the available space on your device-->
3. Free applications from Google Play: top 3 choices
If built-in tools Samsung are not enough, pay attention to third-party applications. We tested dozens of apps and selected 3 best free solutions to combine photos without watermarks and restrictions.
Application
Rating on Google Play
Features
Suitable for
PhotoGrid
4.7 ⭐ (100M+ downloads)
300+ collage templates, layer editor, stickers, filters
Creating collages for social networks, simple overlays
PicsArt
4.5 ⭐ (500M+ downloads)
AI tools, double exposure, background removal, animation
Creative projects, processing portraits
Canva
4.6 ⭐ (100M+ downloads)
Professional layouts, fonts, graphic elements
Design of posts, covers, presentations
Let's take a closer look at how to work with each of them:
PhotoGrid ideal for quickly creating collages:
- Install the application and open it.
- Select
"Collage" → "Templates".
- Upload two photos to the selected layout.
- Adjust borders, add text or stickers if necessary.
- Save at maximum quality (setting in the export menu).
PicsArt suitable for complex overlays:
- 🌟 Use the
"Double Exposure" («Effects» → «Double Exposure») tool for artistic combination.
- 🎭 Function
"Remove BG"** automatically removes the background from portraits.
- 🔄 Adjust the transparency of layers using the slider
«Opacity»**.
Canva —the best choice for design:
The application library has ready-made templates for Instagram Stories, YouTube covers and even printed materials To combine two photographs:
- Create a new project with the desired proportions (for example,
1080×1920 px for stories).
- Drag both photos to the canvas.
- Use tools
Crop and Layers for layout.
- Add text, icons or animation (premium feature).
⚠️ Attention: Free versions of applications can add watermarks to exported images. The watermark is removed after purchasing a premium subscription. You can save without watermarks if you select the format. data-i="166">"Save as draft"** and then export through the share menu. PicsArt And Canva The watermark is removed after purchasing a premium subscription. IN PhotoGrid can be saved without watermark if you select the format “Save as draft”** and then export via the share menu.
4. Combining photos through Google Photos: hidden features
The application Google Photos is known as a tool for storing pictures, but it also has hidden editing functions, including creating collages. This method is suitable for those who already. uses Google Photos for backup.
How to combine two photos:
- Open Google Photos and find the first photo.
- Click on it, then tap on the icon "Edit"** (pencil).
- Select tab
"Collage"**.
- Add a second photo from the gallery.
- Select one from 9 templates (grids, vertical/horizontal pairs).
- Edit the boundaries and save the result.
Advantages of this method:
- ☁️ Automatic synchronization with the cloud (photos are available on all devices).
- 🔍 The
"Search"** function helps you quickly find the pictures you need by people, places or objects.
- 🆓 Completely free without watermarks.
Disadvantages:
- ❌ Limited number of templates (no layering possible).
- ❌ The quality of the final image may decrease when exported.
If you often work with collages in Google Photos, create a separate album "For collages"** and add the original ones there photographs. This will speed up the search process the next time you edit.
5. Combination through a file manager: for experienced users
This method is suitable for those who prefer manual control or work with photographs in format .png with transparency. We will use the standard Samsung File Manager (or Files by Google) and application for working with layers.
Step-by-step guide:
- Copy both photos to one folder (for example,
«Download/Photos_to_merge»**).
- Install the application Layer or Superimpose from Google Play.
- Open Layer and select the first photo as a background layer.
- Add the second photo as top layer.
- Use the tools:
- 🔄
"Transform"** - to resize and rotate.
- 👁️
"Opacity"** - to adjust transparency.
- ✂️
"Erase"** - to remove unnecessary parts of the top layer.
Export the result in .png format (preserves transparency).
This method takes more time, but gives maximum flexibility. For example, you can:
- 🎭 Create a “ghost” overlay effect (double exposure).
- 🖼️ Cut an object from one photo and paste it into another.
- 🎨 Add text layers or graphic elements.
⚠️ Attention: When working with files .png in manual mode, monitor the resolution of the final image. If the source photos have different resolutions (for example, 12 MP and 50 MP), the final file may turn out blurry. In this case, first resize the smaller photo to the resolution of the larger one in any graphic editor.
How to save a transparent background in the final image?
To preserve transparency when exporting, select the format .png in the saving settings In most applications (for example, Layer or Photo Editor) this option is available in the menu "Export" or "Save as"If this option is not available, use online converters. (for example, remove.bg) to remove the background after merging.
6. Online services: merging without installing applications
If you do not want to install additional apps, you can use online services to combine photos directly in the phone's browser. This method is convenient for one-time tasks, but it requires. stable Internet connection.
The best online tools:
- 🌐 PhotoJoiner - simple collages of 2-4 photos.
- 🌐 Fotor - professional templates and effects.
- 🌐 Canva Web —a full-fledged design editor.
Instructions for PhotoJoiner:
- Open the site in a browser Samsung Internet or Chrome.
- Click
"Upload photos"** and select two pictures from the phone memory.
- Select a template (for example,
"2 photos vertically"**).
- Adjust the distance between photos using the slider
«Spacing»**.
- Download the result to your phone (button
«Download»**).
Advantages of online services:
- ✅ No installation required.
- ✅ Available from any device.
- ✅ Frequently updated (new templates and functions).
Disadvantages:
- ❌ Risk of data leakage (uploaded photos may be stored on servers).
- ❌ File size restrictions (usually up to
10–15 MB).
- ❌ Internet required.
For Avoid online services for confidential photos (documents, passports, personal photos). Use offline applications or built-in Samsung tools.
Comparison of methods: which one to choose?
The choice of method for combining photos depends on your goals, skills and quality requirements. Below is a comparison table that will help you decide.
Method
Complexity
Quality
When to use
Limitations
Samsung Gallery
⭐ (simple)
⚠️ Average (compression)
Quick collages for social networks
Limited templates
Photo Editor
⭐⭐ (average)
⭐⭐⭐ (high)
Layers, double exposure
Requires skills
PhotoGrid/PicsArt
⭐ (easy)
⭐⭐ (good)
Creative projects
Watermarks in the free version
Google Photos
⭐ (easy)
⭐⭐ (good)
Fast merging with synchronization
Few templates
Manual method (Layer)
⭐⭐⭐ (difficult)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (excellent)
Professional editing
Requires time
Recommendations for choice:
- 📱 For social networks: Samsung Gallery or Google Photos.
- 🎨 For creative projects: PicsArt or Photo Editor.
- 🖥️ For maximum control: manual method with Layer.
- 🌍 For one-time use: online services.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to combine photos without losing quality?
Yes, but for this you need:
- Use formats
.png or .tiff instead .jpg.
- Select applications that support saving in the original resolution (for example, Photo Editor or Layer).
- Avoid online services that compress images.
On phones Samsung with cameras 108 MP (for example, S23 Ultra) built-in tools can automatically reduce the resolution. To avoid this, export the project through the menu "Save a copy" and select the option "Original quality".
How to remove the background from a photo before merging?
There are several ways:
- 📱 In Samsung Photo Editor: tool
"Remove background"** (available on models with One UI 5.0 and later).
- 🤖 IN PicsArt: function
"Remove BG"** (free for simple objects).
- 🌐 Online: service remove.bg (automatic background removal in 5 seconds).
For complex objects (for example, hair, animal fur) use manual selection in Layer or Superimpose.
Why after merging, the photo became blurry?
Blurriness occurs for the following reasons:
- Different resolution source files: if one photo is
12 MP, and the other is 3 MP, the final image will be reduced to a lower resolution.
- Compression when saving: many applications automatically compress files. Check the export settings.
- Incorrect scaling: if you greatly enlarge one of the photos, the pixels become noticeable.
Solution: before merging, bring both photos to the same resolution in the editor (for example, Lightroom Mobile).
Is it possible to combine a photo and a screenshot?
Yes, the process is no different from working with two photographs. Please note:
- Screenshots usually have the resolution of the phone screen (for example,
1080×2400 px for Galaxy S23).
- If the screenshot contains confidential information, use offline applications.
- For best results, crop unnecessary parts of the screenshot (panels notifications, navigation buttons).
How to make an animated collage (GIF) from two photos?
To create GIF animations from two photos:
- Install the application GIF Maker or ImgPlay.
- Upload both photos to the application.
- Select a transition effect (for example,
"Crossfade"** for a smooth transition).
- Adjust the animation speed (recommended
0.5–1 second per frame).
- Save the result as
.gif or .mp4.
On phones Samsung you can also use the built-in one Video Editor to create short video collages.