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Let’s Erase Something

In some cases, Google Photos knows you already want to remove people from the background before you even select the Magic Eraser tool.
In some cases, Google Photos knows you already want to remove people from the background before you even select the Magic Eraser tool. Image: Florence Ion / Gizmodo

To start, open up a photo in the Google Photos app on your Pixel smartphone. In some cases, Google Photos will offer to automatically remove people from the background in a pop-up prompt, as seen in the first image, and you can tap on the prompt to get started.

Tap on the photo in Google Photos, and then you’ll see a menu pop up below. Select the option to Edit, then scroll over to the Tools option. You’ll see the available options that Photos thinks it can help out with, often including Portrait light, Blur, Magic Eraser, and Color focus. In some cases, only the Magic Eraser will be available to use on a particular photo.

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