TheGoogle Pixel 8and Pixel 8 Pro launched with Magic Editor, a powerful AI tool that lets anyone perform advanced image-editing techniques with a couple of taps. It’s a powerful tool that can dramatically impact your photos, but using it isn’t as easy as it could be.
We show you how to use Magic Editor, examples of what it can do, and tips and tricks to make the most out of it. After you’ve given it a go,try out more of the Pixel 8’s exclusive features.
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What can Magic Editor do?
Magic Editor streamlines editing by using AI to perform advanced editing techniques. These techniques will be familiar to anyone who’s used Photoshop or other image editing software.
With Magic Editor, you can:
Not all these techniques are available in every photo. For example, an indoor picture doesn’t let you add the sunset effect. Similarly, complex objects may not allow you to edit them, such as the Apple logo in this image, whichrefused all our attempts to select it.
The best way to see what Magic Editor can do is to jump in and experiment.
How to use Magic Editor
To start with Magic Editor, you need your Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro and a stable internet connection. Despite theadvanced AI features available through the phones' Tensor G3 chip, Magic Editor processing is done in the cloud through Google Photos.
You’ll need toback up your images to Google Photosto edit them with Magic Editor. After you’ve done this, you’re ready to start.
How to open Magic Editor
Move and resize an image
This tool is perfect if your subject is slightly out of frame or an object is obscuring the focus of the image. Magic Editor fills in the necessary areas of the object and the background as best as possible.
Select an object and drag it with your finger to use this tool. You can also pinch it to make it smaller or bigger.
It’s best to only use this tool for simple objects that occupy a distinct space. A complex object was selected in the image below, causing Magic Editor to fill the spaces with weird artifacts that don’t look real.
Add sunsets or weather effects
Take an image with the sky in the background, and you can change the apparent time of day or weather. This is one of the Magic Editor tools that usually works well.
The above image shows the Golden hour effect, and the bottom shows stormy clouds added to the image.
Erase objects
Magic Eraser was introduced with the Pixel 6 and is now available on any device through Google Photos. This feature has been improved on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.
Tap any object and then tap theErasebutton.
This isn’t everything you can do with Magic Editor. The possibilities depend on the image you take. Take a range of images and test out what you can do.
Tips to get the best results with Magic Editor
Magic Editor is a powerful but imperfect tool. To avoid frustration, we recommend following these tips.
Don’t use Magic Editor on panoramic or photos undergoing changes
If you use Google Photo’s other image editing tools, save the picture and reopen it before using Magic Editor.
Swipe through to get the best result
When Magic Editor applies an editing tool, it creates multiple, slightly different versions. Swipe through and select the one that you think looks best.
The below images show the different results of Magic Editor when attempting to remove the object in the first picture.
Choose simple images
As you can see from the examples above, the more complicated an image is, the more likely Magic Editor will create a messy image.
Wait for edits to process
Despite all the heavy processing happening in the cloud, Magic Editor takes some time (and heats up your Pixel 8 in the process). Wait for the edits to finish processing, and try not to use this feature in hot weather or while your Pixel phone is charging.
Avoid forbidden edits
There are some things that Magic Editor won’t edit, whether due to Google’s GenAI terms or practical issues. Below are the things Magic Editor refuses to edit. Attempting to edit these objects results in an error message.
Make the most of the Pixel 8’s editing tools
Magic Editor isn’t the only editing tool exclusive to the Pixel 8. Another tool that caught our eye was Best Take, which allows you toswap faces in group photoswith those from similar images.
