iOS 16 Lets You Isolate, Copy, and Share Subjects in Photos

Using advanced machine learning, iOS 16 will let users extract a subject from a photo, then drag and drop that subject as a photo across the system to use in Messages, Notes, Mail, and more.

ios 16 craig image subject isolate
The feature works not only in Photos but even in screenshots and Quick Look. In the ‌Photos‌ app, just hold down on a photo for a few seconds until you see a white glow appear around the subject. You can then drag the subject out of the ‌Photos‌ app and into Messages, Mail, Notes, and more.

In Quick Look and elsewhere in the system, simply hold down on a photo and tap "Copy Subject" from the list of actions. The subject of the image is then isolated and stored in your clipboard to be used elsewhere in the system.

The feature also works with paused frames for videos in the ‌Photos‌ app. Since the feature requires advanced machine learning and image analysis, it is only available on phones with the A12 Bionic and newer.

Related Roundups: iOS 16, iPadOS 16
Related Forum: iOS 16

Top Rated Comments

BvizioN Avatar
13 months ago
It used to take me ages to do this very thing on a Photoshop years ago.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
runeapple Avatar
13 months ago
Would have been more impressive if it removed the background in the middle from the arm in which he\s touching his hair.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bustycat Avatar
13 months ago
The middle image shows that Craig lives in an iPhone.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nfl46 Avatar
13 months ago
I just tried this with a few pictures and it worked great.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Premium1 Avatar
13 months ago
Apple going for the king of cringe with that part of their keynote...
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alpi123 Avatar
13 months ago
It's surprising how well it detects the edge of objects
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)