You took a really nice photo, but while trying to add a caption, you accidentally created a mess, and now it has a nasty scribble on it that you don’t know how to remove: don’t worry, in this guide, you’ll find the solution that suits your needs.
What I would like to discuss in the following chapters is precisely how to remove scribbles from photos, using various solutions suitable for this purpose, including software for PC, online services, and apps for smartphones and tablets. You will see when it is possible to intervene and, also, how to recover a scribbled photo before sending it to someone or posting it on a social network.
If you can’t wait to solve the problem with your photo, take a few free minutes, get comfortable, and read what I have to say: by the end, you’ll be able to restore the image to all its beauty. I wish you a good read and lots of fun!
Table of Contents
- How to Remove Scribbles from Photos: PC
- How to Remove Scribbles from Photos: Mac
- How to Remove Scribbles from Photos: Online
- How to Remove Scribbles from Photos: Smartphone and Tablet
How to Remove Scribbles from Photos: PC
Since you are wondering how to remove scribbles from photos, I would say it’s worth starting from the context of PC equipped with Windows 10 or Windows 11. These have integrated tools that can help you achieve your goal quickly, as well as supporting a wide range of third-party programs that are quite user-friendly.
How to Remove Scribbles from Photos using Integrated Tools
The first option I recommend considering in this context is the integrated Photos application in the latest versions of Windows. You should know, in fact, that the application offers free access to a wide range of editing tools, including some AI-based tools.
To proceed in this context, right-click on the photo you want to edit, then select Open with > Photos. After that, click on the Edit button found in the top left, and navigate to the Erase tab (the rubber icon with the + symbol in the top right). You will then access the Generative Eraser section. This feature is still in preview at the time of writing.
Essentially, you just need to select the brush size (or rather, the rubber) using the slider on the right, and then brush the tool over the scribble you want to remove. In doing so, the AI will attempt to reconstruct the portion of the image involved, thus allowing you to regain the original photo.
I used the term “potentially” because the AI could make mistakes (which are technically referred to as “hallucinations”). This means that the photo may not be reconstructed accurately, or that the AI might add elements that weren’t originally there. However, this is undoubtedly one of the most advanced methods you have to attempt to reconstruct your photo of interest, so you can also accept an imperfect result (maybe then manually modify it following the next chapters of the tutorial).
In any case, it may be necessary to apply the tool multiple times within the Photos app to successfully remove all the scribbles. Furthermore, it might interest you to know that by turning off the Automatically Apply option (to the right), it is possible to add or remove a mask. For the rest, once you’ve achieved a result that satisfies you, just click on the Save options at the top right, then choose whether to proceed with the Save a copy option or the Save or Copy to Clipboard options.
How to Remove Scribbles from Photos using Photoshop
Now that you know what can be done with the integrated tools in Windows, I would say it’s worth focusing on third-party programs. The first solution you should consider in this area is the popular Adobe Photoshop. If you don’t have it on your Windows PC (or on your Mac), I remind you that it typically involves a paid solution after any initial trial period. The usual cost is around 26.64 euros per month, although you might be interested in exploring the Adobe Creative Cloud suite.
That said, removing scribbles from photos with Photoshop is often possible even manually, though the complexity of the operations depends on where the mark to be removed is located: if, for example, it’s over a monochromatic area of the photo, it will be easier to eliminate than if it’s over a subject. You can start by opening Adobe Photoshop and importing the image to be corrected through the menu File > Open in the top left.
When you view the photo within the program, you’re ready to go to the tools menu located on the left and select the Clone Stamp tool. Before you start using it on the image, go to the top menu bar and select the downward arrow icon to choose the correct size of the tool in relation to the modification to be made; then also select the appropriate hardness (I suggest setting a relatively soft value) and ensure that the opacity is set to 100%.
Once done, place the clone stamp tool in the correct area of the image closest to the first portion of the scribble you want to remove: select the intact area while pressing the Alt key on your keyboard and click on the point you intend to “clone.” Now use the clone stamp tool by simply clicking and bringing the selected area over the error to be corrected. Be patient and repeat the operation until you have covered the scribble that ruins the photo.
Be careful not to make the artifacts too visible: help yourself by zooming the photo to at least 100%. To do this, from the left toolbar, select the Zoom tool (which has the magnifying glass icon) and use it with the + icon to increase the size of the area you need to work on.
For the rest, as an alternative to the stamp tool, you can utilize, for example, the Content-Aware Fill function, which works similarly to what I previously explained regarding AI-based functions.
Finally, when you are satisfied with the result obtained, you can save the image involved by going to the File > Save As menu in Photoshop.
How to Remove Scribbles from Photos using GIMP
If for some reason neither the integrated solution in Windows nor the other instructions I have provided so far have allowed you to achieve a good result, you might want to consider making a manual adjustment. To do this, you might want to turn to a free and open-source third-party program, namely the popular GIMP.
To get started, you will need to have installed GIMP on your computer. The program is also available, in addition to Windows, for macOS and Linux. After you have installed it, launch it, and from the top menu bar, sequentially select File and Open, and then use the dialog window that appears on the screen to locate the photo you want to correct saved on your computer and click the Open button to import it.
At this point, from the tools palette located to the left, select the Clone tool icon, set the values you find in the palette below to determine the size of the brush and its hardness, then go to the image and select a source area to clone over the scribble.
Use the Ctrl key on your PC keyboard (or the cmd key if you’re using a Mac) and click on the area to copy, then press on a first stroke on the scribble within the photo. To continue with the image processing, you can proceed as explained in the previous paragraph, as GIMP and Photoshop are very similar.
I know: this type of manual modification is a bit more complicated than modern AI solutions, but with a little attention and patience, you might be able to solve even the most intricate situations this way.
Other Solutions to Remove Scribbles from Photos on PC
Aside from the programs mentioned so far, there are many other solutions that could be suitable for modifying photos on PC, especially in manual mode with eraser tools and similar functionalities. Below you can find some options that might be right for you.
- Paint: the quintessential photo editing application integrated into Windows. You might be interested to know that over the years, it has evolved significantly, entering the era of artificial intelligence. Hence, you might want to explore tools like those for the automatic background removal, but mostly you might like to know that, by selecting a portion of the image, you can then right-click on it and select the Generative Eraser option to proceed similarly to what was explained in the Photos app chapter.
- Krita: another widely used program, especially in terms of digital drawing. Although it is less suited, compared to other solutions, for a scenario like the one described here, you might still find it interesting if you are specifically interested in this field. It is available not only for Windows but also for macOS and Linux.
- Paint.NET: not to be confused with classic Paint, Paint.NET is a program aiming to offer more professional and advanced editing solutions that could be useful for your purpose. The program can be downloaded for free from its official website, but to support the developers, you can make a purchase from the Microsoft Store.
How to Remove Scribbles from Photos: Mac
If you have a Mac, you might be pleased to know that, besides the programs compatible with macOS mentioned earlier, you can also use an integrated tool in this case. I’m referring to the macOS Photos application.
To remove scribbles from images using the latter, first launch it through its respective icon, present in the Dock or Launchpad. Then expand the More tab, reaching the Imports section.
Then drag the desired photo into this window, then double-click on it to view it. At this point, click on the Edit button in the top right to display all the editing tools.
Now move to the Clean Up tab at the top, selecting with the provided tool the portion of the image to delete. The system will then attempt to automatically remove the scribbles, although, as mentioned regarding Windows, the removal may not always be successful.
In any case, you can manage the Size slider on the right to resize the eraser tool at your disposal, and you can also press the Restore Cleared Areas option at the bottom right to step back. For the rest, once you have reached a satisfactory result, you just need to click the Done option in the top right to save the changes.
If you wish to use other solutions to achieve your goal, refer to my general overview regarding programs to modify photos on Mac or continue reading this tutorial.
How to Remove Scribbles from Photos: Online
What do you say? You don’t really want to use a computer program since you think it’s easier to do everything without installing anything? If that’s the case, you will be happy to know that there are online services that allow you to do this, accessible directly through a web browser. In this regard, the first option I recommend considering is the opportunities related to artificial intelligence, so you won’t have to spend too much time resolving the situation. One website that might suit your needs is Photoroom.
To proceed, go to the Magic Eraser page on the Photoroom portal, then manage the cookies as you see fit (for example, by pressing the Accept All option). You can then click on the Select an Image button to choose the photo you wish. Then use the brush at your disposal, adjusting its size via the slider available at the top left, to select the portion of the image containing the scribble.
Once the online service has finished making the modifications (bearing in mind that, as always, the AI could make mistakes), you just need to click on the Download option to obtain the final result. You might encounter some limitations in terms of selectable resolution. The free version of Photoroom usually allows downloading the final result only in Standard resolution, while for HD you need to go for the paid Pro plan (usually starting at 9.99 euros per month).
If you’re interested in proceeding manually, you might want to explore the Photopea portal.
How to Remove Scribbles from Photos: Smartphone and Tablet
Do you take most of your photos with your smartphone or tablet? If that’s the case, you might be pleased to know that, in addition to PC programs and online solutions, there are also many mobile apps that can help you. Below you can find instructions regarding both integrated solutions and third-party applications.
How to Remove Scribbles from Photos: Android
Are you aware of the AI tools I mentioned at the beginning of this guide? One of the companies that launched a solution of this type is Google, as it is the creator of the Magic Eraser feature that sparked this revolution. If you have a device running Android with an integrated Play Store, you can use the preinstalled Google Photos application to achieve your goal.
So, open this application via the specific icon located on your home screen or in the app drawer, select the photo you want (taking a look at the Albums tab, for example), and press the Edit option found at the bottom. Then, move to the Tools tab and tap on the Magic Eraser option to proceed.
Now, after evaluating whatever is recommended automatically by the system, swipe your finger over the scribble you intend to erase and release it when you are done. Doing so, the system will execute the operation automatically. To achieve a better result, you might want to check out the Hide tab at the bottom, as it may be useful in certain contexts. In any case, once you have completed the modifications, just tap on Done at the bottom right to save them.
How to Remove Scribbles from Photos: iPhone and iPad
If your preferred device is an iPhone (or an iPad), you can also resort to a preinstalled application, namely the Photos of iOS/iPadOS app. Therefore, start this application through its respective icon, which you can see on your home screen.
Then select the photo you are interested in from those displayed on-screen, then select the three lines icon at the bottom to enable editing mode. After that, tap the pencil icon in the top right to see all the relevant tools appear on the screen.
At this point, select a brush at the bottom to try and manually cover, if possible, the scribble you are interested in. Once you have achieved a result you find satisfactory, just double-tap on the Done option in the top right to save the modifications.
If, however, you are looking to act in a more advanced manner, you might want to explore third-party apps. For example, it may interest you to know that the Google Photos app, free aside from the presence of in-app purchases, can be easily downloaded from the App Store for iOS and iPadOS. This application thus contains the Magic Eraser feature I have already illustrated in the Android chapter.
How to Remove Scribbles from Photos: WhatsApp
How many times has it happened to you: just before sending a photo to a friend on WhatsApp, you decide to write something on it by hand, but end up making a mess. It’s not a problem, let me explain right away what you can do.
One of the most common scenarios is that, once you have selected the contact to whom you want to send a photo on WhatsApp, you either use the camera or the clip icon to add it as an attachment to the conversation. You will notice that the integrated editor for modifying WhatsApp photos will open.
If you use the Pen tool usually located in the top right, to add a freehand drawn element on the photo, it’s quite easy not to achieve the desired result, creating ugly scribbles. To remove them, however, you just need to tap the icon with the back arrow symbol, always present in the editor menu. Each trace will be deleted and you will have your image free of ugly marks.
If, instead, you are wondering how to remove the scribbles from the received WhatsApp photos, what you can do is, once the images in question are stored in your device’s memory, use one of the previously mentioned solutions to fix the issue.