Choose Apple Photos Clean Up if you have a compatible Apple device and want to remove a distraction in Apple Photos. Choose Google Photos Magic Editor if you want to try broader generative changes—such as moving a subject or changing a sky—and its availability and save terms suit you. Neither company’s documentation establishes an overall image-quality winner, so the choice is about your device, editing workflow and the kind of change you need.
What is the difference between Clean Up and Magic Editor?
Apple’s Clean Up is an Apple Intelligence feature in Photos for removing distracting objects. On iPhone, open a photo, tap Edit, choose Clean Up, then tap, brush over or circle the object. Apple cautions that brushing over a person’s face can produce a blurred or pixelated effect, and that generative results may vary. See Apple’s Clean Up requirements and guidance.
Google positions Magic Editor as a generative editing experience for more substantial scene changes. Its documented examples include repositioning a photo’s subject and turning a gray sky blue. Google Photos also has selection-based erase and other editing tools, but those examples do not establish that Magic Editor will always produce a better result. See Google’s Magic Editor announcement and Google Photos editing guidance.
Which devices can use them?
Apple Photos Clean Up
Apple lists iPhone 16 models and iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPads with A17 Pro or M1 and later, and Macs with M1 or later. The listed baseline software is iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 or macOS Sequoia 15.1. Availability has regional qualifications: Apple notes support on eligible iPhone and iPad models in the EU with iOS or iPadOS 18.4 or later, and says Clean Up does not currently work on devices purchased in mainland China. Restrictions also apply to supported devices from elsewhere when used in mainland China with a China mainland Apple Account region. Check Apple’s current requirements for your device and location.
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- Attention-grabbing design meets the latest evolution of the Google Pixel Camera on the new Google Pixel 11 Pro; Gemini Intelligence helps manage details so you can live in the moment[1]; and the phone is available in two sizes
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan: Works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers[2]
- Stay informed without looking at your screen: When your phone is face down, Pixel HiLight gently alerts you with subtle glowing lights when your favorite contacts are calling or you’re talking with Gemini; exclusive to Google Pixel 11 Pro phones
- Magic Capture catches the moment as you live it: With just one tap, Pixel 11 Pro captures video and photos, and automatically edits, crops, and unblurs a curated collection, ready to share – and you get the memory of how it felt to be in the moment
- Two new cameras for more brilliant photos: A larger telephoto sensor captures 30% more light for clear, beautiful photos and videos, even in the dark[3]; Pixel’s longest zoom ever helps you capture details from impressive distances[4]
Google Photos Magic Editor
Google announced in April 2024 that Magic Editor would expand to Google Photos users on Android and iOS, subject to minimum requirements and device availability. That announcement is not a guarantee that every account, device or region has access under identical terms today. For iPhone and iPad, Google says most editing features require iOS 18 or later and at least 3 GB of RAM; some features have higher requirements, and suggested tools vary. Consult Google’s current iOS and iPadOS editing guidance and check the app for availability.
Does Magic Editor have a save limit?
Google’s April 10, 2024 announcement said Android and iOS users would get 10 Magic Editor saves per month, with Pixel devices or a Google One Premium plan of 2 TB or more as routes to go beyond that allowance. Treat those figures as the policy described in that dated announcement, not a promise of current terms for every region or account. Check Magic Editor in Google Photos before relying on the allowance. The cited Apple Clean Up requirements do not describe a comparable monthly save cap.
Rank #2
- Google Pixel 10a is a durable, everyday phone with more[1]; snap brilliant photography on a simple, powerful camera, get 30+ hours out of a full charge[2], and do more with helpful AI like Gemini[3]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan; it works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Pixel 10a is sleek and durable, with a super smooth finish, scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 7i display, and IP68 water and dust protection[4]
- The Actua display with 3,000-nit peak brightness shows up clear as day, even in direct sunlight[5]
- Plan, create, and get more done with help from Gemini, your built-in AI assistant[3]; have it screen spam calls while you focus[6]; chat with Gemini to brainstorm your meal plan[7], or bring your ideas to life with Nano Banana[8]
Which editor suits the change you want to make?
| If you want to… | Better fit to consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Remove a distracting object in your existing Apple Photos workflow | Apple Photos Clean Up | It is built into Photos on supported Apple Intelligence hardware. |
| Remove an object or make a larger generative scene change | Google Photos Magic Editor | Google documents both selection-based editing and examples such as moving a subject or changing a sky. |
| Edit images in a Google Photos library across devices | Google Photos | Google says backed-up edits sync to a Google Photos account; saving over the original or as a copy depends on the edit. |
| Stay within Apple Photos on compatible hardware | Apple Photos Clean Up | The feature is part of the Apple Photos editing workflow. |
For Google’s iOS editing behavior, including backup and save options, see Google Photos editing guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How should you judge the finished edit?
Review the result rather than assuming either tool will reconstruct every area convincingly. Inspect faces, edges, and the area that was removed or generated. Apple says Clean Up results may vary; Google separately warns that some AI-created outputs can be unexpected or inaccurate. That warning applies to the AI creation features described on Google’s AI-feature availability and requirements page; do not assume every Google Photos edit has the same requirements. The available documentation does not establish that one editor is more accurate, natural-looking, faster or higher quality overall.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Google Pixel 7 is powered by Google Tensor G2; it’s faster, more efficient, and more secure, with the best photo and video quality yet on Pixel[1].Other camera description:Front,Rear.Bluetooth Version 5.2 with dual antennas for enhanced quality and connection.
- Unlocked Android 5G phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Pixel’s Adaptive Battery can last over 24 hours; when Extreme Battery Saver is turned on, it can last up to 72 hours[3]
- The 6.3-inch Pixel 7 display is super sharp, with rich, vivid colors; it’s fast and responsive for smoother gaming, scrolling, and moving between apps[4]
- Google Pixel 7 has wide and ultrawide lenses with up to 8x Super Res Zoom[5]; and Cinematic Blur brings more drama to your videos
Rank #4
- Google Pixel 10 Pro is the ultimate Pixel experience, featuring advanced AI with Gemini, unbelievable camera quality, impeccable design in two sizes, and the next-gen Google Tensor G5 chip[1]
- Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan[2]; it works - Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
- Get a head start on syncing your data before it even arrives: After you purchase your new Pixel, look for an email that explains how to transfer your photos, videos, passwords, and more in just a few quick steps[11]
- Pixel’s pro camera system makes everything look amazing, even in low light; capture more of the scene with advanced Google AI models, and bring out incredible details with 100x Pro Res Zoom, stunning 50 MP images, and super steady videos in 8K[10]
- Pixel 10 Pro is built with durable aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for scratch and drop resistance; the 6.3-inch Super Actua display with 3,300-nit peak brightness is easy on the eyes, even in direct sunlight[3,13,18]
Which one should you use?
- Use Clean Up when your main task is removing a distraction and you already have supported Apple hardware and use Apple Photos.
- Try Magic Editor when you want to experiment with a composition-level change and prefer Google Photos, after confirming the feature and current save terms in your account.
- For a simple object removal, either may be worth trying if available to you; inspect the result before keeping or sharing it.
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