How to blur faces before sharing a photo
How to blur or cover faces in a photo on iPhone and Android, what to check besides faces, and why a solid block beats a light blur.
Use a solid block, not a soft blur. A light blur can leave a face recognizable, especially to people who know the person, and small pixel blocks can leave more detail than you expect. A filled shape leaves nothing underneath in the exported image.
On iPhone
Photos has no face blur tool, but Markup can cover faces. Open the photo, tap Edit, then the Markup button (a pen tip). Tap the plus button, add a square or circle, set it to a solid fill, and drag it over each face. Tap Done.
Photos keeps the original so you can revert later on your phone. To be sure the recipient gets only the covered version, take a screenshot of the edited photo and share that.
On Android
In Google Photos, tap Edit and look for Markup, then draw over each face with a thick pen until it is fully covered. Choose Save copy. Samsung Gallery's editor has drawing tools and, on some versions, shapes or blur. Many chat apps also offer a draw tool before sending. Names vary by app and version.
On a computer or any browser, our face blur tool covers faces and exports a new, flattened image without uploading anything.
Faces are not the only giveaway
- Tattoos, scars, distinctive clothing and bags.
- Name badges, school uniforms and logos.
- Reflections in windows, mirrors and sunglasses.
- House numbers, street signs and number plates.
- Screens and papers in the background.
- Location stored in the file. See photo metadata and location.
Cropping tightly is often easier than covering many people. And if you know the people in the photo, asking them first is better than any edit. Some people have serious reasons to stay out of pictures, such as leaving an abusive relationship or a sensitive job.
Before you post
Zoom in on the edited photo at full size before you send it. Covers that looked solid on a small screen sometimes leave an ear, a profile or a reflection showing. Then check the file has no location, and that you are sending the edited copy, not the original sitting next to it in your library.