Best 5 Ways to Remove Background from Image on Mac

5 Best Methods to Remove Background from Image on Mac

Isolating subjects from their backgrounds is a crucial skill for Mac users. We're about to explore a curated selection of 5 distinct methods, showcasing the versatility of macOS and third-party tools, to help you master the art of background removal. From quick, built-in features to more robust, specialized applications, you'll discover the perfect solution for your specific needs.

#1. Remove Background from Image on Mac Using Aiarty Image Matting

Aiarty Image Matting is an AI-powered background remover that works offline on Mac and Windows.  Featuring an enhanced CoreML model, it's able to remove and replace background of images with substantial faster macOS performance. Besides, meticulously trained by 320K+ high quality images, the 4 built-in AI models are able to detect and isolate subjects with remarkable precision, even for complex elements like hair, fur and transparency, preserving intricate details and delivering up to 10K resolution image output.

Key Features That Make Aiarty Superior:

• AI-powered auto background removal with high precision. No jagged edges for hair, transparency, hollow etc.
  
• Batch processing for handling up to 3000 images at once, ensuring efficiency and consistency across images.
  
• Seamless background replacement with solid colors like white or blue, gradients, or realistic scene backdrops, ensuring a natural and flawless blend.
  
• No technical skills required. Full offline functionality to protect user privacy.

Free download Aiarty Image Matting to remove photo background on your Mac now!

3 Steps to Professional Background Removal on Mac using Aiarty Image Matting

Step 1. Launch Aiarty Image Matting,  drag and drop your photos into the software. You can process multiple images simultaneously for batch processing.

Step 2. Select an AI model based on your photo type. Usually AlphaStandard V2 is selected for better results. Then click Start to remove the background automatically on Mac.

Step 3. Refine the edges and transparency using 4 manual options, and Mask Alpha curve if needed.

Step 4. Optionally, click Background after Effects, and select a solid color or upload a local scene to add a background for the isolated subject. This provides great convenience and utility for e-commerce users looking to replace backgrounds with white, or with blue or white for official ID photos.

Step 5. Expand the Export Settings section to configure PNG transparency, quality, and destination folder. Click Single Export to export individually or Batch Export for bulk saving.

#2. Remove Background on Mac with Preview (Built-in Tool)

If you prefer to avoid downloading and installing any software, Preview is a viable option for Mac removing background from images. The Preview application, built into macOS, includes an Instant Alpha tool that can eliminate backgrounds from solid-color images. However, it's important to note its limitations: it's only effective for images with solid backgrounds, struggles with complex edges and transparencies, and lacks batch processing capabilities.

Additionally, users may sometimes encounter the frustrating issue of Preview remove background greyed out, indicating that the Instant Alpha tool is unavailable for the selected image, often due to a non-solid background or image format incompatibility.

How to Use Preview to Remove Background on Mac

There are two ways available when your wanted part and unwanted part are in different colors or in similar colors.

If your wanted part and unwanted part are in different colors:

1. Launch the Preview application on your Mac and open the image you wish to edit.
2. Locate and click on the "Instant Alpha" tool. It's usually found within the Markup toolbar.
3. Click and drag your cursor over a portion of the unwanted background area. The tool will select areas of similar color. Repeated until you get your desired image.
4. Once the unwanted area is fully selected, press the "Delete" key on your keyboard.
5. Save the edited image to preserve your changes.

If your wanted part and unwanted part are the similar colors:

1. Launch Preview on your Mac and open the image.
2. Click the "Markup" button in the Preview toolbar. This will display the editing tools.
3. Click the "Selection Tool" dropdown menu, and then select "Smart Lasso" from the options.
4. Carefully trace the outline of the subject you want to extract. The Smart Lasso tool will attempt to snap to the edges as you draw. Connect your start and end point.
5. To remove the background, press the "Delete" key. To copy the selected subject, press "Command + C" (copy). You can then paste it into another document or application.
6. Save the edited image to preserve your changes.

#3. Remove Image Background via macOS Photos App (macOS 13+ Only)

For macOS Ventura (13+) users, the built-in Photos app now offers a convenient Copy Subject feature, enabling quick and automated subject extraction directly within your photo library. Fully integrated into the macOS Photos experience, this tool simplifies the process to a mere right-click, making it incredibly user-friendly. It's particularly effective for straightforward subject extractions.

However, it's important to note that this feature is exclusive to macOS Ventura and later versions. While it excels at basic tasks, it lacks the ability to export transparent PNGs and doesn't provide fine-tuning options for images with intricate details. If you need a quick, no-fuss solution for simple subject isolation, the Photos app's 'Copy Subject' is a handy addition to your macOS toolkit.

How to Use Copy Subject in Photos App on macOS 13 Ventura or Higher

Step 1. Begin by opening the Photos application on your macOS Ventura (or later) system.

Step 2. Locate and open the image from which you wish to isolate the subject on Photos ^[1]. You can either import a new image or select an existing one from your library.

Step 3. Right-click directly on the image thumbnail or within the image viewer. This will open the context menu.

Step 4. From the context menu, select the 'Copy Subject' option. The system will then automatically detect and isolate the main subject.

Step 5. Navigate to the desired application or document where you want to place the extracted subject. Then, use the 'Paste' command (Command + V) to insert the subject. It will appear without its original background, ready for use.

#4. Remove Background on Mac Using Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop remains the industry standard for professional image editing, offering unparalleled control over background removal through its sophisticated selection tools and layer masking capabilities. Designed for users who demand the highest level of precision, Photoshop allows for meticulous manual editing, enabling the refinement of even the most intricate edges, particularly crucial for complex subjects like hair^[2].

While its powerful features provide full command over the editing process, Photoshop does come with certain considerations. It requires a monthly subscription, currently priced at $22.99 per month, which is a $2 increase from the previous price. Additionally, its extensive toolset can present a steep learning curve for beginners. Compared to automated AI-powered tools, the manual nature of Photoshop's background removal can be more time-consuming. However, for those seeking ultimate control and professional-grade results, Photoshop's capabilities are unmatched.

How to Remove a Background in Photoshop for Mac Users

Step 1. Launch Adobe Photoshop and open the image you want to edit. Navigate to File > Open and select your image file.

Step 2. Choose the Select > Subject from the toolbar. It'll automatically detect and select the main subject of your image.

Step 3. Once the subject is selected, create a layer mask by clicking the Add layer mask icon at the bottom of the Layers panel. This will hide the background, revealing the selected subject on a transparent layer.

Step 4. For precise edge refinement, especially around complex areas like hair, go to Select > Select and Mask. This workspace offers tools to smooth, feather, and shift edges, ensuring a natural-looking extraction.

Step 5. Use tools like the Refine Edge Brush to meticulously clean up any remaining background artifacts. Adjust the Smooth, Feather, and Contrast sliders to achieve the desired level of refinement.

Step 6. Choose your output setting (e.g., Layer Mask, Selection, or New Layer with Layer Mask) and click OK.

Step 7. Save your edited image in your preferred format, such as PNG for transparency, by going to File > Save As.

#5. Remove Background from Image Online Using Remove.bg

remove.bg offers a convenient, web-based solution for instant background removal on macOS, leveraging powerful AI algorithms to automatically process images in the cloud. Designed for ease of use, remove.bg is accessible from any web browser, no need for software installation. Its key advantage lies in its fully automatic AI-powered functionality, allowing users to quickly isolate subjects from their backgrounds.

A free version is available, providing a quick way to test the service, though it comes with limitations such as watermarks and low-resolution output.  Users should also be aware that remove.bg requires a stable internet connection. As with any cloud-based service, there are potential privacy considerations due to the need to upload images to their servers.

How to Remove a Background Online Using Remove.bg

Step 1. Navigate to remove.bg official site, and upload an image.

Step 2. It will detect and remove the background automatically.

Step 3. Click Download button to save your removed background image offline. By expanding the drop-down option, you can find free users are limited to export in low-resolution (408 x 612 pixels), for original resolution (4000 x 6000 pixels) export, you have to pay for it.

Test Results & Comparison: 5 Mac Background Removers

Having explored the 5 methods of Mac remove background from images, let's now examine the results from different Mac background removal tools. Choose the tool that best suits your needs.

Check the final results comparison after removing background from image on Mac using these 5 background removers.

From the test, we can see:

1. Both Aiarty and Photoshop deliver excellent background removal results, preserving the original image details, such as individual hair strands and the texture of accessories.
2. However, in terms of operation, Photoshop is more complex and time-consuming compared to Aiarty's automate AI processing.
3. Preview's background removal is relatively clean, but it failed to process the hollow areas in the earrings.
4. Photos mistakenly identified the graffiti in the background as part of the main subject, and retained it.
5. remove.bg's AI removal is very clean, but since I didn't purchase the full version, I could only export low-quality images, resulting in a noticeable overall blur.

For Mac users seeking a balance of precision and efficiency in background removal, Aiarty Image Matting stands out as the optimal choice. It delivers professional-level results, comparable to Photoshop, by preserving fine details like hair strands and accessory textures, but with a significantly more user-friendly and efficient workflow. Its offline processing ensures privacy and performance, making it ideal for high-quality, simple background removal on Mac.