Adobe has officially announced the launch of its popular design and editing software, Photoshop, for mobile devices, starting with iOS. The company plans to expand its offering with a Photoshop for Android app later this year, marking a significant step in making professional-grade editing tools accessible on the go.
The newly launched Photoshop for iPhone app provides users with access to both free and paid features through a mobile-friendly design. The app offers a similar set of editing tools as the desktop version, including layering and masking, all optimized for mobile screens. Additionally, Photoshop for iPhone integrates with Photoshop on the web, available for a fee.
For those interested in premium features and web integration, Adobe has introduced a $7.99 monthly subscription plan. All existing Photoshop paid plans now include access to Photoshop on mobile, broadening the options for creative users.
By bringing Photoshop to mobile, Adobe aims to attract new users, particularly younger audiences who are accustomed to using their phones for creative purposes. In its announcement, Adobe stated that the app was built "from the ground up to welcome a new generation of image and design enthusiasts to the limitless potential of Photoshop."
The mobile app also positions Adobe to compete with popular editing apps like Snapseed, Picsart, and Canva mobile, offering robust editing capabilities on a portable platform.
Free users of the Photoshop mobile app can combine and blend images using core tools such as selections, layers, and masks. They can easily remove, recolor, or replace image parts with the "Tap Select" tool, and access removal tools like the "Spot Healing Brush." Furthermore, they can utilize generative AI tools powered by Adobe Firefly, including "Generative Fill" and "Generative Expand."
Additionally, free users can access hundreds of thousands of Adobe Stock assets and navigate across workflows thanks to direct integration with Adobe Express, Adobe Fresco, and Adobe Lightroom.
Paid users enjoy the flexibility to transition from Photoshop mobile to Photoshop on the web for enhanced precision and control. They gain access to additional Firefly-powered AI tools, such as "Generate Similar" and "Reference Image," along with more than 20,000 fonts and the ability to import additional options.
Premium features include "Object Select" for precise selections, "Magic Wand" for isolating objects, and "Remove Tool" for eliminating distractions. Paid users can also use "Clone Stamp" to hide unwanted objects and "Content-Aware Fill" to fill image portions. Advanced blend modes provide control over transparency and styles, while options to lighten or darken image parts are also available.
"We spent a lot of time talking to creatives and creators, especially the new generation of creators who are very comfortable with phones," said Shambhavi Kadam, senior director of product management at Adobe Photoshop, during a briefing with TechCrunch. "We took that feedback and built it into the product to make sure that it worked really well for these users."
Early testers of the app have used it to create digital art, mood boards, podcast art, album cover art, fashion lookbooks, video thumbnails, memes, and more, highlighting its versatility and appeal for diverse creative applications.
