How to use Magic Editor on Google Pixel 8

Magic Editor allows users to manipulate, resize, remove objects, adjust colours, and apply stylised effects using AI, all within the photo

Noah Johnson - Jan 01, 2024

The image shows a snapshot of Magic Editor doing its work on Google Photos. X/@auroranx

Google has always introduced impressive photo editing features on its Pixel devices, like the Pixel 6's Magic Eraser. However, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro take it a step further with the introduction of the Magic Editor.

How to use Magic Editor

Magic Editor allows users to manipulate, resize, remove objects, adjust colours, and apply stylised effects using AI, all within the photo.

Accessing Magic Editor is simple if you have a Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro. Here’s how:

Open Google Photos on your Pixel device.
Select an image to edit.
Tap on "Edit" and then choose the Magic Editor button, represented by a multicoloured icon with a sparkling corner.
Modify your image by erasing or painting over areas, resizing, moving objects, or applying preset AI-generated effects.
Save your edited image as a copy while preserving the original.

To use Magic Editor, ensure you have a Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro and your photo is saved in Google Photos' cloud.

Magic Editor: Performance and examples

The effectiveness of Magic Editor's edits varies depending on the image. It can alter skies, colours, and styles, but results may occasionally produce odd or unexpected outcomes.

Examples of Magic Editor's edits:

Altering skies and colours: Some edits can change the sky's appearance, adding elements like clouds or altering hues.

Mixed results: The editor can sometimes produce unusual or unrealistic effects, inadvertently altering other parts of the image.

Object resizing and relocation: Moving objects within an image can yield impressive, albeit slightly imperfect, results.

Our testing and verdict

Magic Editor can create striking edits when used thoughtfully, offering stunning results with the right adjustments. However, it might require fine-tuning to avoid odd outcomes, especially when using the "erase" function.

As of now, Magic Editor is exclusive to Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro devices. It remains uncertain if Google plans to extend this feature to older Pixel models or other smartphones, as it did with Magic Eraser.