Removing the background from a photo used to mean minutes of patient work with the Pen tool. Not anymore. Adobe has built one-click background removal straight into Photoshop, and it is good enough for most everyday tasks. If you use Photoshop 2020 or newer (including the free 7-day trial), here are the three fastest ways to cut out an object and keep a clean, editable background.

Method 1 – The Remove Background Button (One Click)

This is the easiest way to remove the background in Photoshop and works remarkably well on photos with a clear subject.

1. Open your image in Photoshop.
2. Select the layer with your photo.
3. Click the Remove Background button at the top of the Properties panel. If you do not see the Properties panel, go to Window → Properties.
4. Photoshop instantly creates a layer mask and removes the background around the subject.

You can now drag any new background layer behind your subject, or export the file as a transparent PNG. To refine the edges, choose Select → Select and Mask and use the Refine Edge brush on hair or fur.

Method 2 – Select Subject + Smart Mask (One Click, More Control)

The Select Subject tool uses AI to detect the main subject of the photo. It gives you a selection you can keep, add to, or subtract from before turning it into a mask.

1. Open the image and select its layer.
2. Go to Select → Subject (or press the Select Subject button in the toolbar).
3. Click the Add Layer Mask icon at the bottom of the Layers panel.
4. The background disappears, and you keep a fully editable layer mask.

Use the Brush tool to clean up the mask: paint with black to hide extra areas, white to bring parts back. This method is ideal for product photos, portraits with clean edges, and simple illustrations.

Method 3 – Magic Wand / Object Selection for Tricky Images

When the subject and background have similar colors, the one-click tools may struggle. Object Selection is the fastest smart alternative.

1. Select the Object Selection Tool (W) from the toolbar.
2. Drag a rough rectangle around the subject.
3. Photoshop fills the area with a selection. Hold Shift to add more regions or Alt (Windows) / Option (macOS) to remove parts.
4. Click Add Layer Mask, then use Select and Mask to tidy the edges.

For very detailed edges, combine Object Selection with the Refine Edge Brush inside Select and Mask – great for hair, fur, and tree branches.

Quick Recap

• Remove Background button = one click, best for clean, clear subjects.
• Select Subject + Layer Mask = one click with full editing control.
• Object Selection Tool = best for subjects against busy or similar backgrounds.

Whichever method you choose, remember to export with a transparent background: File → Export → Export As → PNG. That keeps your cut-out ready for web design, mockups, and print without a white box around it.

FAQ

How do I remove the background from a photo in Photoshop if Remove Background is missing?
The button appears when you select a raster layer. If it is still missing, use Select Subject and then Add Layer Mask – the result is nearly identical.

Is there a one-click way to remove the background and keep the result editable?
Yes. Select Subject followed by Add Layer Mask keeps the cut-out fully editable, and you can fix any mistakes with the Brush tool without redoing the selection.

Can I use these methods on Photoshop for iPad?
The basic Remove Background and Select Subject actions are available in Photoshop for iPad and behave the same way.