I often look at my old photos I took as an amateur photographer and wish I could improve the framing or composition of the shot. Now I can with Apple's new Spatial Reframing feature on iOS 27. It allows users to shift the camera angle, perspective, or zoom after the photo has been taken, with AI filling in any gaps. It's a feature worth checking out, and here's how you can use Reframe in the Photos app on iPhone.
Reframe in iOS 27 Photos App: What Is It and How Does It Work?
Reframe is one of the new Apple Intelligence features introduced in the iOS 27 update. As the name implies, it lets you reframe your photos after they have been taken. You can adjust the angle of the shot, zoom in and out to focus on the subject, or align the image by dragging it across the screen. Once done, the AI will fix any gaps or generate new elements.
The tool uses spatial reframing and uses Apple's new foundation model along with a mix of on-device and cloud processing. However, Apple ensures your images remain safe and secure thanks to Private Cloud Compute. However, you will need an Apple Intelligence-supported device to use this feature.
How to Reframe Images in iPhone Photos App
The Reframe tool is available under the new tools section in the iOS 27 Photos app. Here's how you can use it:
- Launch the Photos app and open the photo you want to edit.
- Here, tap on the Edit (settings) icon and go to Tools > Reframe.
- Wait a moment while Apple Intelligence analyses the photo. The screen will show a scanning effect while this happens.
- Now, tap and drag on the image to adjust the framing and perspective. Use two fingers to pinch in or out of the image.
- Once the new framing looks right, tap on Reframe at the bottom.
- Next, tap on the checkmark at the top right.
- Then, tap on Done again to save the image.
The original image is not deleted, as the reframed version is saved separately. It is worth noting that this process requires an internet connection since Apple needs to send the image to its cloud servers.
Tips for Using the Reframe Tool on iPhone
I tried the Reframe tool on my iPhone Air running the latest iOS 27 developer beta 1, and the results are a mixed bag. Based on my experience, I prepared a list of tips to consider when reframing your photos to avoid disappointing results.
- Works on photos from any source: Apple has confirmed that Reframe is not limited to photos clicked from an iPhone. You can use images taken from Android devices, DSLRs or any other source too. It will work as long as they are in the Photos library.
- Older photos work too: Reframe also works with photos taken years ago, making it useful for fixing old photos that were never framed quite right.
- Small tweaks work better: Refram is designed to fix minor composition issues, so it works well when you are making small tweaks and minor changes to the perspective and angle of the shot. Asking it to make large fixes can produce results that look obviously artificial.
- Use photos with a simple background: It is advised to use a photo with a simple background, as it can have a hard time replicating or filling in the gaps of complex backdrops with AI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does Reframe work on Live Photos or videos?
No. Reframe is designed for still photos only. It does not support Live Photos and videos as of the latest iOS 27 update.
Q. Why is the Reframe option missing from my Photos app?
Reframe is only available for iOS 27 eligible devices that support Apple Intelligence. This means devices like the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, iPhone 17 and the upcoming iPhone 18 series will have this feature only.
Q. Does Reframe work on photos taken with non-Apple devices?
Yes. Reframe works on any photo in the Photos library, regardless of which device or camera captured it.
So, that is all we have on the new Reframe tool introduced in the iOS 27 Photos app. It is a really neat addition and a good showcase of Apple's capabilities in AI. While the results can look good or artificial depending on the shot, it is worth giving it a try, especially when you have a supported device. I hope you found this guide useful and I was able to explain the feature in complete detail.
