iOS 16: How to Lift Subjects From Images on the Web - MacRumors
Skip to Content

iOS 16: How to Lift Subjects From Images on the Web

by

In iOS 16, Apple has made it possible to isolate the subject of a picture from its background so that you can copy it to the clipboard for use elsewhere. This feature also works for images on the web. Keep reading to learn how it works.

iOS 16 Safari Guide Feature
With iOS 16, Apple has enhanced its Visual Look Up capability for photos to such an extent you can now drag subjects right out of images, and it works not only in the Photos app, but also Safari. That means you can isolate subjects from images you found on the web and then share them in another app.

  1. In Safari, find a webpage with an image that contains a clearly-defined subject.
  2. Long press on the image and select Copy Subject from the popover menu.
    safari

  3. Now, exit Safari and then launch Messages, Mail, Notes, or another app that accepts images.
  4. In the chosen app, long press on the input field and tap Paste in the popover menu to insert your isolated subject.
    safari

Note that this feature doesn't work in third-party browsers like Chrome or Firefox. Also, it uses advanced machine learning and image analysis, therefore it is only available on phones with the A12 Bionic or newer chip.

The A12 Bionic processor debuted in 2018 in the iPhone XS, ‌iPhone‌ XS Max, and the ‌iPhone‌ XR, so you need to be using one of these iPhones or a later model for it to work.

Tag: Safari

Popular Stories

Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in September With These 10 New Features

Monday April 20, 2026 7:13 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the...
Tim Cook Rainbow

Apple CEO Tim Cook Stepping Down, John Ternus Taking Over

Monday April 20, 2026 1:33 pm PDT by
Apple CEO Tim Cook is stepping down as Apple's chief executive officer, and hardware engineering chief John Ternus is set to take over, Apple announced today. Cook will continue on as Apple CEO through the summer, with Ternus set to join Apple's Board of Directors and take over as CEO on September 1, 2026. Cook is going to transition to executive chairman, and he will "assist with certain...
iphone 17 ceramic shield

Leaker: Apple Downgrading iPhone 18 to Cut Costs

Monday April 20, 2026 9:12 am PDT by
Apple is downgrading the planned specifications of the standard iPhone 18 to cut costs, a leaker claims. In a new post on Weibo, the user known as "Fixed Focus Digital" said that the iPhone 18 features "certain manufacturing downgrades" that bring it more into line with the low-cost iPhone 18e model. The decision is said to be "a cost-cutting measure." Apple has apparently chosen to...