Have you ever captured a perfect photo only to have its overall beauty ruined by a cluttered background? Even after the photo is taken, you still have powerful methods to create beautiful background blur effects in post-processing.
Blurring the background helps create focus and depth. It makes your subject pop while keeping the background smooth and distraction-free. Here are a few cases where you might want to use background blur:
Now, let’s see how you can actually blur background of a photo already taken using different methods.
If you took a photo on your iPhone but forgot to use Portrait mode, don’t worry — you can still blur the background later.
Way 1. Use the Photos App (for Portrait Mode Photos)
1. If your photo was originally taken in Portrait Mode, open it in the Photos app. Tap Edit.
2. Tap the f icon in the top-left corner.
3. Adjust the Depth Control slider — move it to increase or decrease background blur.
4. Tap Done to save changes.
If your photo wasn’t taken in Portrait Mode, use an editing app like to apply a professional blur effect.
When I want to blur backgrounds quickly without using Photoshop, I use UltraPic — an online photo editing tool that can remove background, replace it or blur any photo background automatically. It’s easy, accurate, and doesn’t distort your subject.
🌟 What Makes UltraPic Special?
Here are a few highlights that make UltraPic stand out:
Instantly remove any background and generate custom backdrops with AI. Boost conversions effortlessly.
Sometimes, blurring isn’t enough — especially if the background color or objects distract from your subject. In those cases, try replacing the background entirely.
Follow these simple steps to learn how to blur the background of a photo already taken and change the background using UltraPic:
1. Open your browser and go to UltraPic. Click “Upload Image” and select the photo you want to edit.
2. After uploading, select your desired background template or enter a simple prompt to customize a professional template, creating an aesthetically designed image that preserves all details without distorting size or precision.
3. You can blur only parts of the image while keeping the main subject clear.
Click Adjust & Edit, and choose the background layer and find Blur, see the slider to control the blur intensity. You can make it light for a soft look or stronger for a professional portrait effect.
4. Once you’re happy with the result, click Download to save your new photo.
Use UltraPic to blur the background of already-captured images while preserving sharp details and maintaining the original image size without distortion.
Q1: Can I blur the background of a photo taken many years ago with an old phone?
A: Absolutely! As long as the photo has sufficient clarity, AI tools like UltraPic can process images from any era. This is the essence of how to blur the background of a photo already taken—giving your old photos a new lease on life.
Q2: Does the blurred background look fake?
A: That depends on the tool used. High-quality AI tools like UltraPic employ advanced edge detection and blurring algorithms to produce highly natural results. You can fine-tune the blur intensity to make it appear more realistic.
Q3: Can I blur backgrounds for objects or pets besides portraits?
A:UltraPic AI has been trained on vast amounts of diverse imagery, accurately recognizing subjects like cats, dogs, cups, food, and more.
Q4: What if my photo has a complex background, like lots of tiny branches? Can AI still handle it?
A: That's a great question. Complex edges are indeed challenging. But UltraPic AI excel in this area. If the auto-detection has minor inaccuracies, you can use the manual brush tool for fine-tuning to ensure flawless results.
No need to regret photos you've already taken. Now you've mastered all methods for blurring the background of a photo you've already captured. Whether you want to quickly edit a snapshot on your phone or meticulously refine an important photo, the tools are at your fingertips.
I highly recommend starting with a comprehensive yet user-friendly AI tool like UltraPic. It not only perfectly addresses your questions about how to blur photos but also opens the door to a world of creative photo editing.