26 Feb, 2025
Adobe Photoshop For iPhone Is Here, And It’s The Best Thing!
Design News • Jayshree Ochwani • 3 Mins reading time
Photoshop for iPhone is now a reality! After nearly two decades of experimentation, Adobe launched Photoshop mobile, its most ambitious mobile version yet.
Key takeaways:
- Adobe’s first proper mobile Photoshop: Built from scratch, seamlessly syncing with web and desktop versions.
- Unlimited layers and no file size restrictions: A game-changer for professionals and casual users.
- AI-powered selection tools: New “Tap Select” makes editing faster and easier.
- Free to use, but with premium features: A subscription unlocks the app’s full potential.
Photoshop for iPhone revolutionizes mobile editing
After 16 years of trial and error, Adobe has finally nailed mobile photo editing with Photoshop For iPhone.
This release, available now on the App Store, is Adobe’s most serious attempt to recreate its legendary software for a touchscreen device.
The Android version is expected this summer, but iPhone users get their first taste of this revolutionary app.
This isn’t just a watered-down Photoshop—it’s built from the ground up for mobile.
It’s free to use, but premium features are available through a $8-month subscription that grants access to Photoshop online.
Unlimited layers, seamless editing
For professional editors, Photoshop Mobile is packed with high-end capabilities. Unlike past mobile editing apps, this version has no file size restrictions and supports unlimited layers.
While vector drawing tools aren’t in this release, Adobe has confirmed that Shapes are on the way.
“We’re very confident in our foundations,” says Matthew Richmond, VP of design for Creative Cloud Pro products and 3D at Adobe. “A big part of this is the focus on next-gen users, where the phone is their only computer.”
AI-powered “Select and Do” UX
What makes Photoshop For iPhone special isn’t just the tech—it’s the user experience. Adobe has ditched the traditional desktop interface and introduced a touch-friendly workflow called “Select and Do.”
Here’s how it works:
- Tap the “Select Area” button to choose subjects like people, objects, or backgrounds instantly.
- AI-powered “Tap Select” lets you highlight elements with a single tap.
- A contextual menu guides you through the following steps—color adjustments, generative fill, or layer creation.
- Layers appear as thumbnails on the right, making managing and reordering them easy.
Is Photoshop for iPhone a Canva killer?
With this launch, Adobe targets professionals, content creators, and casual users.
With social media flooded with Canva templates and built-in Instagram filters, Adobe sees a massive opportunity to give users more creative control.
Ashley Still, GM of Adobe Creative Cloud, explains: “Creators want to make sure the content they’re creating is not just another template—it represents their unique voice.”
Despite its impressive debut, Photoshop for iPhone is still evolving. Adobe’s top priorities include:
- Launching on Android to capture the majority of smartphone users.
- Expanding toolsets, including the much-requested vector drawing tools.
- Refining the AI-driven workflows based on real-world user feedback.
Adobe has big plans for this app, rolling out monthly updates to enhance functionality and introduce new features.
A Photoshop that finally feels right on mobile
After years of half-baked attempts, Adobe has finally cracked the code for Photoshop on a smartphone.
Photoshop for iPhone isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a powerful, intuitive, and genuinely helpful tool for a new generation of creators.
Will it replace desktop Photoshop? Probably not. But for millions of mobile-first users, this could be the editing app they’ve been waiting for.
Subscribe to our global Design Journal and stay updated with the daily design news.
Jayshree Ochwani
Content Strategist
Jayshree Ochwani, a content strategist has an keen eye for detail. She excels at developing content that resonates with audience & drive meaningful engagement.
Read More