Alex Ruben
How To Erase Objects from Videos on iPhone
Trying to clean up those distracting objects in your videos can be kinda frustrating, especially on iPhone where editing tools are a bit limited. Maybe a weird person in the background, a stray item that shouldn’t be there, or some blemish that just won’t go away. This guide dives into some of the better methods using apps like CapCut and TouchRetouch, which are pretty much the go-to for quick object removal. It’s not rocket science but can be a slog if you’re not familiar. By following these steps, you’ll hopefully get smoother, cleaner clips that look more professional and less cluttered.
How to Fix Unwanted Objects in Your iPhone Videos
Get your apps and tools ready
First off, make sure your iPhone is running at least iOS 14 — better if it’s newer. You’ll want:
- The CapCut app — download from the App Store.
- The TouchRetouch app — optional, but if you’re serious about cleaning up tricky objects, it’s worth it. Get it from the App Store.
Having these installed sets the stage for some decent editing, even if it’s a bit fiddly. You’ll also want your video saved in Photos or Files so you can pick it easily in-app.
Open your video and start editing with CapCut
Launch CapCut, tap on the “New Project” button, then select the video you want to edit from your media library. That’s pretty straightforward — hit “+”, pick the clip, and get ready.
Once loaded:
- Tap on the video in the timeline to bring up editing options.
- Swipe or look for the Transform menu — sometimes it’s buried under “Edit” or “Adjust” depending on updates.
On some setups, needing to tap “Transform” may feel like an extra step, but it’s where you’ll crop or resize to hide objects or set up masking.
Crop or resize to hide objects — the quick-fix
If the object is near the edge or just a small distraction, cropping might do the trick. Here’s why it helps: it cuts out the problem area, making it less noticeable. When you crop, expect the frame to tighten around what you want to keep. Not perfect for everything, especially when the object is central, but sometimes that’s all you need.
- Select Resize or Crop.
- Drag the corners or edges to exclude the object from the frame.
- Preview before saving — sometimes it works, sometimes it looks thrown together.
On some videos, cropping may leave weird edges or cut off important parts, so be prepared to combine with other techniques.
Masking for more precision — a cleaner approach
If cropping isn’t enough or messes up your composition, masking is the way to go. It’s kinda like drawing a shape over the unwanted object and blending it into the background. CapCut supports shapes like circles, squares, and freehand masks that you can move and resize.
- Tap on the Mask button after selecting your clip.
- Pick a shape (circle, rectangle, or free draw).
- Adjust the mask size and position to cover your fungus or car bump.
- Use feathering options to soften the edges for a more natural look.
- Tap the checkmark to apply.
This process isn’t perfect and sometimes requires going back and tweaking the mask. Expect some trial and error, but often it’s more subtle than cropping.
For tricky stuff, try TouchRetouch
If the object is moving or you want a more seamless removal, TouchRetouch is kinda magic — but not perfect every time. It uses AI to help you manually select objects, then removes them frame by frame. Because of that, it can be a bit slow on larger videos and may require purchasing it, but the results can be way cleaner.
- Open the app, load your video.
- Use the Object Removal Tool.
- Zoom in and carefully outline what you want gone.
- Let the app process and review the result.
- You might need to run it more than once or tweak the masking for best effect.
Honestly, with some patience, it’s one of the better tools for removing moving objects or complex backgrounds. Just don’t expect it to be flawless, especially with busy scenes or shaky footage.
Extra Tips & common hiccups
Few things that help make the process smoother:
- Preview your edits often — movies don’t lie, tiny mistakes stand out.
- Undo is your best friend — hit it if things go sideways.
- Experiment with masking shapes and feathering options — what works for one object might not work for another.
- Sometimes, saving a small interim version makes it easier to revert or try a different method later.
Wrap-up
Removing objects from videos on the iPhone isn’t exactly fuss-free, but with the right apps and a bit of fiddling, decent results are possible. Cropping, masking, or using TouchRetouch can each do the trick depending on your situation and patience level. Just don’t expect perfection on every shot, especially with tricky moving stuff. Practice makes better, and luckily these tools won’t drain your wallet — mostly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove moving objects from my video?
Partially, yeah. Apps like TouchRetouch can handle some movement, but if it’s fast or complex, results might be hit-or-miss. Sometimes, you’ll need to re-edit or do multiple passes.
Is CapCut free to use?
Yep, it’s free, but some advanced features or effects require in-app purchases. Still, for object removal, it’s quite capable without paying.
Will removing objects lower my video quality?
Generally, no — as long as you’re careful. Over-cropping or heavy masking can result in a less sharp image or weird borders. Always keep a backup of the original video just in case you need to start over.
Summary
- Download CapCut and optionally TouchRetouch.
- Load your video into CapCut.
- Crop or mask to hide objects.
- Try TouchRetouch for tricky objects, especially moving ones.
- Preview, tweak, and don’t expect perfection every time.