Adobe is celebrating 35 years of its iconic image-editing application, Photoshop, with the much-anticipated launch of a new mobile version. Released on March 3, 2025, the app is currently available for iPhone users, with an Android version scheduled to follow later this year. This marks the first time the complete Photoshop functionality has been presented on mobile devices, eleving convenience for both professional creators and everyday users alike.
The new app features all of the fundamental elements creative professionals have come to expect from Photoshop, including layering and masking, which are not typically seen in mobile photo editing apps. Users will appreciate the inclusion of the Tap Select tool, which allows for quick and efficient removal, recoloring, and replacement of elements within images. The Spot Healing Brush is another tool included within the app, enabling users to “brush away distractions in seconds.”
“We’re excited to bring the limitless creative possibilities of Photoshop to mobile,” said Ashley Still, senior vice president of Adobe. The app aims to cater to everyone from professional artists to novice creators exploring Photoshop for the first time. Users will benefit from seamless integration with other Adobe mobile applications such as Express and Lightroom, enhancing their overall editing workflow.
One of the standout features of the app is Adobe’s AI technology, particularly Firefly's Generative Fill and Generative Expand capabilities. These tools are available at no additional cost within the free version of Photoshop for iPhone, providing users with vast creative options on the go and access to Adobe Stock assets.
With the free version, users are equipped with many of Photoshop’s most utilized features. Notably, they can perform full-resolution editing and apply selective adjustments effortlessly. Adobe’s premium subscription plan is also available at $7.99 per month or $69.99 annually, which provides access to advanced features like over 20,000 fonts, AI-generated imagery, advanced blend modes, and traditional tools such as Magic Wand, Clone Stamp, and Content-Aware Fill.
Adobe's new Photoshop app marks another strategic step by the company to democratize creative tools, making high-quality photo editing accessible. This follows the trend established with the 2019 release of Photoshop for iPads, and it is expected to expand Adobe's user base significantly.
The launch has been greeted with enthusiasm, yet users have noted the initial learning curve associated with the app. Katelyn Chedraoui, writing for CNET, mentioned experiencing challenges typical when becoming familiar with Photoshop tools—stumbling through menus and adjusting sliders. The compact user interface introduces some frustration, as finding specific tools often requires tapping through different submenus.
“Once you know where your go-to tools are housed, it’s less inconvenient,” Chedraoui stated. “Tap Select, for example, helps isolate project areas you want to edit, but it does come with variability.” This tool, which is integral to the editing process, sometimes struggles to accurately identify the desired elements, reflecting inconsistencies users might face.
Generative AI features are expectedly at the forefront of the app’s offerings, allowing users to generate images based on prompts. While these features work well, users have reported limitations, such as reduced editing capabilities compared to the desktop version of Photoshop. Chedraoui indicated, “You get three variations per prompt, but the lack of follow-up editing tools post-generation limits refinement options compared to desktop experiences.”
Nonetheless, the convenience of using Photoshop on-the-go is one of the app’s biggest assets. Whether adjusting color schemes or adding text for social media, tasks can now be accomplished directly from users’ phones. And the integration with Adobe’s asset library eases the process of enhancing images, allowing users to search and upload without complicated licensing issues.
“This marks the first time image editing and design features, with such power, precision, and control, have been available for free within one mobile app,” said Adobe. “Photoshop’s new mobile and web apps push creativity boundaries, empowering creators to produce stunning visuals anywhere.”
Adobe aims to augment this foundation with future updates to improve functionality and address user feedback. With the app, mobile editing aficionados feel they hold the potential to transform their creative expressions right from the palm of their hands.
The launch of the Photoshop app for iPhone is more than just another product; it symbolizes the evolution of digital creativity and design, making advanced tools surprisingly accessible to both established and new creators within the field. This reflects the growing trend of mobility within the creative workspace—offering enhanced flexibility and breaking traditional boundaries of where and how great art can be created.