A fun and intriguing feature of the Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 7 series is Magic Eraser. Magic Eraser and the other camera features of the Pixel 7 series distinguish it from other devices in our list of the best Android phones of 2022. Here's everything you need to know about Magic Eraser, an overview of how it works, and some of its more entertaining uses.
What is Google's Magic Eraser?
Magic Eraser on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 lineup automagically erases unwanted objects, including people, from your photos. The feature relies on Google's machine learning and AI prowess to make what was previously a manual editing job in Photoshop a simple task.
Google automatically identifies potentially unwanted objects and people in your photos and prompts you to remove them. Alternatively, you can doodle over an object to magically erase it from the photo. This means that dealing with photo bombers is now a thing of the past. And you don't have to wait for the crowd to thin out if you don't want random people to show up in your selfies.
Google has updated Magic Eraser since its debut on the Pixel 6 series in late 2021. Alongside the Pixel 6a launch in May 2022, Google previewed a new Camouflage mode that, rather than outright removing them, recolors distracting objects to make them less noticeable. You can check out some Magic Eraser Camouflage demos here to get an idea of how the feature works.
What devices is Magic Eraser available on?
Magic Eraser is exclusively available on the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, and Pixel 7 series. The good thing is that there are some Magic Eraser alternatives worth trying if you don't use a Pixel phone, though your mileage may vary with them.
How to use Magic Eraser on a Google Pixel 6 or Pixel 7
Magic Eraser is a part of the Google Photos app on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series.
- Open the Google Photos app.
- Select the photo from which you want to remove the unwanted object.
- Tap Edit from the bottom toolbar.
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Select Magic Eraser from the Tools section.
- Circle or brush on the object that you want to remove. In some cases, Google Photos automatically identifies a subject it can remove.
- If you are okay with the automatic selection, confirm your choice. If you want to camouflage a subject, switch to the Camouflage tab.
- Wait for a few seconds while Google Photos erases the subject from your photo.
- If you like the result, tap Done.
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Select Save copy to save the edited version of the photo.
The copy of the photo that Magic Eraser saves does not contain the location data.
How well does Magic Eraser work in real life?
Check out some examples below of how well Magic Eraser works in real-life scenarios and how you can use it smartly to remove unwanted objects from photos. If you look closely, you can often see artifacts of the removal process, but considering how well the feature works, we'll put up with a few minor glitches.
This first example is what you should usually expect from Magic Eraser. This is an impressive feat, but not without some glitches in the background. There are many people to erase from this scene, and Google's camera tricks mostly make it happen, but if you look closely, you'll notice some half-spliced bodies that didn't fully blend in.
This next example is much simpler and more successful because of it. With only one person to erase, Google can more or less accurately recreate the door behind that person. It's a little warped, and the graffiti has been smoothed over like a half-done paint job, but there's nothing too odd about the photo.
On this one, Google nails it. It's a small change, only removing a fly from the dog's head, but Magic Eraser executes its task almost perfectly. If you look closely, you can see a bit of shadow left over, but anyone presented with the edited copy alone wouldn't notice it.
Having fun with Magic Eraser
Magic Eraser opens the door for silly photos with a quick edit. There's not much we can do about rising fuel prices, but with Magic Eraser on your Pixel 6 or 6a, you can hide that pain.
Next time your kid photobombs you, use Magic Eraser to remove them from the frame, just like this parent.
A car without wheels? Yep, that's possible with Magic Eraser.
Don't worry about the crowd the next time you visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Click the photos you want and let your Pixel's Magic Eraser do the hard work. The result won't be perfect, as evident from the example below. You can still see the shadows. Nonetheless, it's better than waiting for the sidewalk to be empty.
Not a fan of the notch on your new MacBook Pro or Air? Magic Eraser has your back, at least in photos.
You can use Magic Eraser to remove your friends or family from photos.
The feature can also help you turn an outing with your friends into a date.
Cleaning up a mess using Magic Eraser sounds much better than getting your hands dirty.
And here's one final entry. More like "Magic Erases."
Check out some more fun and useful Magic Eraser demos below.
Magic Eraser works with non-Pixel photos
The best part of Magic Eraser is that it doesn't only work on photos taken with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series and seems to work as well on shots imported from other devices. So far, we've been impressed by what it can do, and we can't wait to see what powers Google gives it next.
When you're done playing around with Magic Eraser, check out the best Android apps for photographers to get even more out of your Pixel camera.