PSA the Google Pixel 6 s best feature actually works on any photo TechRadar Skip to main content TechRadar is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's why you can trust us. PSA the Google Pixel 6 s best feature actually works on any photo By Tom Bedford published 16 July 2022 Magic Eraser on all photos (Image credit: Google) Audio player loading… One of the Google Pixel 6's big selling points is its camera software, and a great example of it is the Magic Eraser feature, which was a big selling point for the Pixel upon its release. Magic Eraser lets you digitally select background elements in your photos to remove them - AI fills in the gaps to scrub out things like people, stray branches, or animals that you don't want cluttering up your shot. However, not many people know something important about Magic Eraser. While you do need a Pixel 6 series phone to get it to work, you can actually use the effect on any image. Google Photos to the rescue You'd be right for thinking you'd need a Pixel 6 to use Google's Magic Eraser tool, but logically, you'd also think that you'd only be able to use the trick with pictures taken on the phone. That's not the case though. To edit a photo with it, you need to open up the Google Photos app, and as I discovered recently when booting up this program and seeing older snaps, you can also edit your older pictures stored in Photos. (Image credit: TechRadar) Plus, you can even import pictures into Google Photos from your PC or an alternative smartphone, and still edit them. You just need to be sure to do the editing on your Pixel. This could be great if you've taken a good-looking picture in the past that was ruined by something in the background, or if you own multiple devices and want to ensure there's a way for you to edit out unwanted elements on snaps taken on other devices. So it s not about the camera It seems that none of the information captured by the Pixel's camera is actually used in the AI cropping. Instead, Photos just analyzes the picture and works out what should fill in the gap. For example, if you're trying to remove an item in a grassy field, the feature will see the grass around it and copy the same textures over. The same happens for objects in the sea or the sky, for example. Issues arise when you try to remove an object that sits over a border though, as the phone sometimes can't work out what should be in the background. Magic Eraser is basically a slightly-less efficient version of Adobe Photoshop's Content-Aware Fill. However, if you own a Pixel, Magic Eraser is free, while Photoshop certainly isn't. The Google Pixel phones are still fantastic devices, and since you can use Magic Eraser on non-Pixel images, they're also useful to complement other camera phones. Tom BedfordDeputy Editor - PhonesTom's role in the TechRadar team is to specialize in phones and tablets, but he also takes on other tech like electric scooters, smartwatches, fitness, mobile gaming and more. He is based in London, UK. He graduated in American Literature and Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia. Prior to working in TechRadar freelanced in tech, gaming and entertainment, and also spent many years working as a mixologist. Outside of TechRadar he works in film as a screenwriter, director and producer. See more Mobile phones news TechRadar Newsletter Sign up to get breaking news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more, plus the hottest tech deals! Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. You will receive a verification email shortly. There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again. MOST POPULARMOST SHARED1You may not have to sell a body part to afford the Nvidia RTX 4090 after all2My days as a helpful meat shield are over, thanks to the Killer Klown horror game3I tried the weirdest-looking Bluetooth speaker in the world, and I utterly adore it4It looks like Fallout's spiritual successor is getting a PS5 remaster5One of the world's most popular programming languages is coming to Linux1Miofive 4K Dash Cam review2Logitech's latest webcam and headset want to relieve your work day frustrations3Best offers on Laptops for Education – this festive season4Intel Raptor Lake flagship CPU hits a huge 8.2GHz overclock5I tried the weirdest-looking Bluetooth speaker in the world, and I utterly adore it Technology Magazines (opens in new tab)● (opens in new tab)The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviewsFrom$12.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)