One of the easiest and most effective editing tools you can use on iPhone and iPad is the crop tool. Cropping photos changes the size and shape, helping you create media for specific outlets like Instagram or TikTok, as well as removing unwanted elements from the edge of your shot.
This can be done on photos you've taken on your device, or on photos you're editing from a different camera like a DSLR. Whether you're rocking an iPhone 14 Pro or an iPhone SE (2022), the feature can make a huge difference to your images. Here's everything you need to know.
How to automatically crop photos in Photos on iPhone and iPad
- Launch the Photos app.
- Find the photo you would like to crop.
- Tap Edit.
- Tap the crop button in the lower right corner. It looks like a square with two arrows circling it.
- Tap the crop box button in the upper right corner. It looks like three rectangles in one.
- Tap the aspect ratio to which you want to crop your photo.
- Select whether you want a vertical or horizontal crop.
- Tap Done.
That's all there is to it. Just keep in mind that the crop will save over the original version of the photo. If you want the original image back again, just change the crop ratio back again to the original.
How to manually crop a photo in Photos on iPhone and iPad
Another option is to manually press and drag the crop border and manually move them into whatever size or shape you want. Manual cropping can be useful if you're trying to fit a particular size of frame or border.
- Launch the Photos app.
- Find the photo you would like to crop.
- Tap Edit.
- Tap the crop icon in the lower right corner. It looks like a square with two arrows circling it.
- Press and drag the corners and edges of the photo to crop it manually.
- Tap Done when you're happy with your final image.
How to resize photos on your iPhone and iPad
If you want to crop and resize photos, you're able to crop in the Photos app natively, but you won't be able to resize. That's why downloading a best photo-editing app like Image Size is probably your best way to get that picture-perfect image size.
- Launch Image Size from your Home screen.
- Tap the Image Icon in the upper right corner. It looks like a photograph.
- Tap the image you would like to resize.
- Tap Choose in the lower right corner.
- Select your image resize option at the top of the page. You have options like pixel, millimeter, centimeter, and inch. You can manually add in the size of your image as well.
- Tap the Download button in the lower right corner to save your image resize.
Image Size will then automatically save the image to your camera roll.
(opens in new tab)Easy peasy
If you have to crop and resize photos on your iPhone like the iPhone 14 or even your best iPad, then these are the steps to do so. We told you — it's easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy! We wish that the Photos app would let you resize images, but at least there are free apps available to help you do just that.
Updated August 2022: Updated for the latest versions of iOS.
