Apple's iOS 18.1 Beta Introduces AI-Powered Clean Up Feature for Seamless Photo Editing

With the advent of iOS 18, Apple has been rolling out features that harness artificial intelligence for enhanced user experience. The recent iOS 18.1 beta 3 update introduces an innovative component known as Clean Up. This feature allows users to eliminate unwanted objects and people from photographs seamlessly. Interestingly, once the Clean Up function is utilized, the edited images will display a notification indicating that AI has been employed in the editing process. This initiative places Apple alongside companies such as OpenAI, Meta, and Google, all of which similarly inform users when AI is applied in image modifications.

The new attribute was identified by 9to5Mac within the iOS 18.1 beta 3 update, making it accessible in the Photos application during the editing phase. Users can find it represented by an icon resembling an eraser, nestled in the toolbar traversing the screen's lower edge. This innovative tool was first highlighted by Apple during their Worldwide Developers Conference.

Utilizing AI technology, this feature can intelligently identify and remove extraneous items and individuals from images. Additionally, it is capable of recognizing and eliminating shadows and reflections associated with the unwanted objects. Users have the option to employ manual controls as well, giving them the power to customize the editing process to their satisfaction.

In another discovery, 9to5Mac reported that pictures altered through the Clean Up feature will feature a label stating “Modified with Clean Up” when viewed in the Photos application. This label serves to maintain the original context of the photograph, ensuring users are aware that modifications have taken place.

Moreover, it appears that this AI label has been integrated into the photo's exchangeable image file (EXIF) format, which can be accessed via a computer or specialized software capable of interpreting this information. Users will see this data when sharing images through iMessage or AirDrop. However, it was noted that when images are shared via third-party messaging services, such as WhatsApp or Telegram, the AI label does not accompany the photos.

As the Apple Intelligence feature is still in beta testing, there's potential for any existing issues to be addressed by the time the Clean Up feature is officially released in its stable form.