As a seasoned photo retoucher, I receive different types of orders. Occasionally, my clients ask me to remove emojis from photos, stickers, and overlays because they need polished materials for professional needs. For instance, they may want to include a particular photo in their portfolios, photobooks, marketing stuff, etc.
People have asked me, “Can you remove emojis from a picture and maintain integrity?” multiple times, and I have never disappointed them. Even when an image has an intricate background or many small details, I know how to deliver an impeccable result.
Still, the quality of the outcome depends not only on my skills but also on the tools I use. Over the years, I have selected multiple programs for different image editing tasks. When it comes to deleting emojis from pictures, there are lots of efficient instruments you can use. I have tested 35+ apps to remove emojis from photos, and I’m ready to present my findings.
The apps I’ve picked are user-friendly and feature-rich. Using them, you can get rid of distracting elements without sacrificing quality and precision.
How to Remove Emoji from Photo: Apps that I Tested
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Fix The Photo Body Editor&Tune -
Free first photo
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Photoshop Express -
AI tools
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AniEraser -
Quick edits
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Fotor -
Versatile
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Snapseed -
Customizable
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InPaint -
Remove any emoji
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TouchRetouch -
Auto & manual modes
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PicWish -
Batch processing
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Emoji Remover from Photo -
Integrations
1. Fix The Photo Body Editor&Tune
Verdict: Fix The Photo Body Editor & Tune allows you to get professional-grade emoji removal without dealing with complicated settings. Thanks to the mix of expert human retouching and AI automation, your photos will look perfect yet natural. Besides, this emoji removal app has an intuitive interface ideal for a smooth start. The best part is that your first photo edit is free.
- I had a client photo with a giant emoji in the middle of a textured background. It even covered part of the subject's hair. I uploaded it to Fix The Photo Body Editor&Tune, and within 15 minutes, I had a perfect edit back. The retouchers expertly restored the background and blended the hair after that. You'd never be able to trace the signs of emoji.
Besides emoji deletion, you can order additional corrections or ask for revisions if necessary. For instance, I also asked experts to remove shadows and change hair color. All my orders were executed professionally.
How to Remove Emoji from a Picture with Fix The Photo Body Editor&Tune App:
- Run the app and import your photo
- Choose the "Remove Emoji from Photos" service and list your instructions for the retouchers
- Wait a few minutes till your order is ready
Pros
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Manual editing done by retouchers
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You can add your instructions
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Neat & well-structured interface
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Fast turnaround
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Lots of photo editing options
2. Photoshop Express
Verdict: Adobe Photoshop Express provides the best of AI image processing and manual editing in a single workspace. Using the app, you can handle emoji removal tasks very quickly. There is a free plan with basic functionality. If you want to access top-tier tools, opt for a premium plan for $4.99/month.
- I tried to remove unwanted emoji plastered on a girl's head in a park photo using Photoshop Express. I used the healing tool to cover the emoji. The background matched perfectly, but the area around her hairline was more challenging to correct. The app couldn’t properly replicate the intricate details of her hair, and I ended up with noticeable texture differences.
One of my favorite things about Photoshop Express is its extensive customization. I can tweak the edits by hand after the initial automatic process. Thus, I retain full control over the final image. I should admit it has its limitations for super detailed work, but it is still a solid choice for basic editing tasks, e.g., removing unwanted elements.
Pros
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Beginner-friendly
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Advanced healing
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Selective edits
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File conversion option
3. AniEraser
Verdict: With AniEraser, you don’t need to wonder how to remove emojis from a photo. Just upload your image, and advanced AI algorithms will take care of the rest. The app is designed for fast results, so if you want more precise edits, you may need to tweak the settings.
- I tested AniEraser on a group photo from an outdoor party. One person had a giant smiley face smack-dab in the middle of their face. After the initial processing, I liked the result. The app deleted the emoji and blended the person's face and clothes nicely. But when I zoomed in, I noticed that AI couldn’t properly handle the person's hair and hand. The spot where the emoji used to be didn't match the rest of the background. That area was a bit fuzzy.
I was impressed by how fast and user-friendly this automatic photo editor was. I received the result very quickly. However, I had to make some manual adjustments because the processed photo didn’t look absolutely natural. You can start with a free trial to test the app. Later, you can subscribe for $59.99 a year for full access.
Pros
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Intuitive UI
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Cross-platform compatibility
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Advanced AI technology
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Easy sharing
Cons
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Not suitable for complex edits
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Free plan with limitations
4. Fotor
Verdict: Fotor is known as a user-friendly image editing app. You can use it for various tasks, including removing emojis. Still, keep in mind that Fotor copes best with simple backgrounds and may struggle with more complicated scenes.
- I had a beach photo ruined by an emoji stuck on a girl's face. I used Fotor's smart removal tool to zap the emoji away. The AI functionality was very helpful. In fact, it took me little time to delete the emoji and blend the background naturally.
Unfortunately, there was a problem with the skin tone after the emoji removal. The AI photo editor couldn’t match textures, and I noticed a faint line on the spot from which I deleted an emoji. I had to apply manual corrections. Fotor is optimized for desktop and mobile platforms. It offers a free version and a subscription plan starting at $8.99 per month.
Pros
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Many beautiful photo effects
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Efficient AI tools
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Great layout features
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Photo collage maker
Cons
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Many ads in a free plan
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Not for advanced image retouching
5. Snapseed
Verdict: If you are pondering how to remove emoji from a picture quickly, Snapseed is a great free photo editing app to try on both iOS and Android. It has a healing tool, using which you can delete emojis. However, don’t expect impressive results with intricate backgrounds.
- I recently had to improve a family photo. Someone had mistakenly added emojis to the digital version that was shared on social media. Since the photo was added to a physical album, I used Snapseed's “Healing” tool to remove the emoji. The app blended the surrounding area, and corrections became invisible. I was amazed at how well it worked.
I was pleased with Snapseed's ability to remove the emojis. Still, I faced some limitations. The areas where the emojis were located still have slightly noticeable traces. They were the most prominent around the edges. It seems that when there are many in the background, the app can’t process the photo accurately.
Pros
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Possibility to apply and control effects
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Agile export
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Supports RAW editing
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Ad-free
Cons
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Takes time to master
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No advanced features
6. InPaint
Verdict: InPaint offers a quick and understandable method for emoji removal. You can use this free app on your iOS device. If you think that basic functionality is too scarce for you, choose a paid subscription option for $2.99/month.
- I was playing around with a photo of my friend from a party and added a funny emoji. When it came time to use the photo for a real project, I needed to remove the emoji. So, I used InPaint and it coped with the task remarkably. I simply selected the area and clicked “Erase”. The software filled in the gap with the surrounding textures very precisely.
While the emoji removal was mostly effective, I noticed some minor imperfections. The erased area didn't fully blend with the background. This Instagram photo editor can’t properly handle gradients and color variations. For this particular photo, the results were satisfactory, but you can’t rely on InPaint for images that have more complex backgrounds.
Pros
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AI-powered features
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Understandable interface
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Intuitive clone option
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Undo/Redo for Inpaint control
Cons
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Free version with restrictions
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Change processing can take time
7. TouchRetouch
Verdict: With TouchRetouch, you can delete emojis from images quickly and intuitively. It has efficient tools and a user-friendly design, but if you are dealing with intricate backgrounds, you may still see minor imperfections in photos. I like that this photo editing app for Android is straightforward and suitable for users of all skill levels.
- A family member decided to add an emoji to a group photo, but I was able to get rid of it with TouchRetouch very promptly. The “Brush” tool was particularly helpful. With it, I managed to select the emoji very accurately, delete it, and blend the textures. The process was quick and understandable.
However, I spotted a small trace near the edges of where it had been. It was subtle, but it was there if you looked closely. If your photo has a plain background, the chances are high that this app can blend the area back in. But if the background consists of different colors and elements, you may need to fine-tune the result manually.
Pros
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Easy to understand
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Before/after button
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In-app video tutorials
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Various export options
Cons
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May be slow on old devices
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Occasional artifacts
Want to Remove an Emoji with Ease?
FixThePhoto is a terrific option for people who don’t know how to delete unwanted emojis but need flawless results as quickly as possible. The team can remove these elements from different images, no matter the background. Besides, they can assist with object reshaping, color correction, and more.
8. PicWish
Verdict: PicWish is a handy face emoji remover app. It is simple to use, but it doesn’t always deliver perfect results. Sometimes, you need to apply manual corrections. The app is compatible with both Android and iOS, and offers advanced features to paid users.
- I needed to remove an unintentionally added emoji from a client's headshot using this app for photographers. The app coped with the task, but the results weren't perfect. The background surrounding the removed emoji was slightly distorted, and the transition between the face and background was not as smooth as I’d like.
As a result, I had to adjust textures manually and spent 20 more minutes. If you are using a free version, be ready to get limited control over the result. That’s why I chose a premium subscription for $9.99 monthly. The results were better, but there were still some obvious flaws.
Pros
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Rich customization
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Manual editing available
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Extensive format support
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Rich feature set
Cons
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Limited free features
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Slow photo processing
9. Emoji Remover from Photo
Verdict: If you’ve ever asked how to remove emojis from a photo swiftly, take a closer look at Emoji Remover. The app is functional and can remove most emojis. However, if you upload complex photos, it may leave minor imperfections.
- To see the capabilities of the Emoji Remover from Photo app, I selected an image of a couple photographed outdoors. The picture included a large smiling emoji covering their faces. Using the brush tool, I diligently refined the area surrounding the emoji. I did it to preserve their skin tones and facial details.
The app successfully removed the emoji from their faces. However, I noticed faint traces near the edges and on the girl's cheek. So, I had to apply manual tweaks. Moreover, the app is replete with ads in the free version. They are so annoying and constantly disrupt the editing process. I couldn’t focus on the task at hand.
Pros
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Neat and understandable
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Saves image quality
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Fast photo editing
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Suitable for different photos
Cons
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Poor functionality
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Inaccurate removal from time to time
Tips for Best Results
Use high-quality images. Thus, an app can precisely identify and remove emojis without compromising the clarity of the rest of the picture.
Choose a plain background. Busy patterns behind the emoji can make it challenging for an app, even advanced ones, to replace the deleted part.
Fine-tune the removal settings. Many tools offer options to adjust the sensitivity or brush size for erasing emojis. Take your time to adjust these settings to get a better outcome. This is particularly important when working with bigger or more intricate emojis.
Preview the results. Make sure to inspect the edited area after removing the emoji to confirm it blends seamlessly into the image. If needed, use the undo or refine features.
Be mindful of edits. Don’t change a particular spot too much. Make sure your entire picture looks realistic.
Apply manual changes if necessary. For instance, you can use a clone stamp or healing brush to fix any blemishes after your app has deleted an emoji.
Save a backup version before you start editing. That way, you can go back to the original if you make a mistake.
How We Tested the Apps
It was an interesting task to evaluate apps that can remove emojis from pictures, considering that the selection is huge. Colleagues from FixThePhoto and I checked whether they had a comprehensive editing suite and quality outputs. I steered clear of software offering only basic editing functions, because I wanted more powerful apps.
Next, we arranged a collection of images with different backgrounds, lighting, and levels of detail to test the applications. Some images had emojis placed on top of intricate textures, like hair or fabric, while others had overlays that blocked important parts of the image – faces or product features.
We tested each app based on its user-friendliness and processing time. I assessed how effectively each program could eliminate emojis and other overlays, with a particular focus on the quality of the inpainting results. I did my best to determine how precisely the emoji removal tool could reproduce the original background without causing any distortions or blurring.
After deleting emojis, I zoomed in on complicated areas such as textures, gradients, and the fine details around the removed elements. I juxtaposed the original image with the processed one to determine how well the app restored the natural look of that area. We also evaluated image sharpness after emoji removal.
I know that photo editors are often pressed for time, so I checked whether the selected apps could delete emoji promptly. Still, I didn’t want to sacrifice quality for speed. Thus, I picked apps that maintained a high-quality output and coped with the task fast.
Lastly, I evaluated whether outputs would meet professional standards. Were processed photos suitable for photobooks? Would they look fitting in a portfolio or marketing materials? As you can see, I conducted very rigorous research to help you find the best app to get rid of emojis in pictures.