Edit with third-party apps and extensions in Photos

Learn how to edit photos and videos with third-party extensions in Photos for iOS and macOS. And find out how Photos and third-party apps work together on your Mac.

  • iPhone or iPad

  • Mac

Third-party apps and extensions expand your editing options in Photos for iOS and macOS. You can apply edits from multiple apps and extensions to one photo, or use any combination of apps and extensions plus the editing tools built into Photos.

Use third-party extensions on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Learn how to find apps with Photos extensions for your iOS device, use them to edit photos, and set favorite extensions.

Install iOS apps that offer extensions

Use the App Store on your device to find and install apps that allow full editing from Photos or include extensions for Photos. Apps that include Photos extensions often say so in their descriptions; search for terms like "Photos extension" to explore more apps.

You can also choose from the apps listed in Edit Images Faster With Photo Extensions on the App Store.

Edit photos with extensions on your iOS device

Set favorite extensions and change the order on your iOS device

If you have multiple apps that include Photos extensions, you can set favorites and change the order in which they appear on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

  1. Open the Photos app, then tap a photo.
  2. Tap Edit, and then tap the More button .
  3. In the menu that appears, swipe to the left until you see the More button, and then tap it.
    iPhone showing the More button to access third-party extensions
  4. In the list of apps with Photos extensions that appears,  tap Edit, then tap the Insert button  to add it to your favorites. To reorder your favorite extensions, tap and hold the Reorder button , then drag up or down to change the order. When you're finished, tap Done.
    iPhone showing third-party extensions Favorites and Suggestions

Use third-party extensions on your Mac

Learn how to find apps with Photos extensions for your Mac, use them to edit photos, and turn on or off the extensions.

Install Mac apps that allow editing or offer extensions

Photos for macOS makes finding third-party apps easy:

  1. Double-click a photo in your library to open it in single view, then click Edit.
  2. Click the More button, then choose App Store.

The Mac App Store opens to a selection of third-party photo editing apps that are compatible with Photos.

You can also choose from the apps listed in Extensions for Fast Photo Edits on the App Store.

Edit photos with extensions on your Mac

Turn on or off extensions on your Mac

If you want to change which extensions appear in Photos, you can turn the extensions on or off:

  1. Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Extensions.
  2. Click Photos Editing in the left sidebar. Your apps that include Photos extensions appear.
    System Preferences Photo Editing Extensions
  3. Turn on the extensions that you want to use in Photos. You can also drag them up or down to adjust the order that they appear in Photos. If you don't want an extension to appear in Photos, make sure the app's checkbox isn't selected.

Edit photos within third-party apps on your Mac

With Photos for macOS High Sierra and later, you can send a photo to most third-party photo apps for editing, then save the changes right back into your library.

  1. Control-click a photo and choose Edit With from the contextual menu. Then choose from the list of third-party editing apps on your Mac. You can also click a photo and then choose Image > Edit With in the menu bar.
  2. The photo opens in the third-party app that you chose. Make your edits, and then save.
    If the app saves photos in a non-standard format, look for an option to save as JPEG or another format that Photos supports.

Your edited photo appears automatically in Photos.

Learn more

  • When you edit a photo with third-party extensions or the built-in tools that Photos offers, you can always start over with the original photo. Open the photo in edit mode, then click Revert to Original on your Mac or tap Revert if you're using an iOS device.
  • If you use iCloud Photos, remember that it keeps your photos organized and up to date everywhere that you use the same Apple ID. So any edits that you make on one device appear on your other devices too.

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

Published Date: