2 Easy Ways to Remove Background in Lightroom + Best Alternative

"Can Lightroom really remove a photo background?"

"Is there a way to do it on both desktop and mobile?"

"Can I still fix the background if it is messy or too bright?"

You are not the only one wondering about these. Many users get confused about Lightroom's tools. Some think it does not have a background remover at all. Others try but do not get the results they want.

We are here to help you! We will show you how to remove the background in Lightroom. We will walk you through the steps on both desktop and mobile. Each version has a different flow, and we will explain them clearly.

Part 1: How to Remove Background in Lightroom on a Desktop

Can you remove the background in Lightroom? Removing a background in Lightroom on a desktop can be done, but it is not super easy. It takes a little work because Lightroom does not have a real remove background button. So, you have to do it all by hand.

That means using tools like masking and a brush to color over the part you want to keep. After that, you can invert the mask and play with the curve or brightness to fade out the background. It is not perfect, but it works if you go slow and zoom in. The cool part? You control what gets picked and what gets hidden.

Step 1First, open the program. Go to the Develop section. Choose the photo you want. It is better if the background is plain and the object stands out.

Step 2At the top-right, find Masking and click it. Now, choose the Brush Tool. Set the feather (the soft edge) to a low number so it looks clean.

Step 3Use your mouse to paint over your object. Try to stay inside the edges. If you mess up, press the ALT key and erase it with the brush.

Step 4Make sure Show Overlay is on so you can see what you painted. Carefully paint around the object. You can zoom in and go slow to make it neat.

Step 5Right-click on the mask and choose Invert Mask. Now, your object stays, and the background is selected. Then, go to Curves and make the background super bright. It makes it look like it is gone.

If your image looks too big after removing the background, you can also use Lightroom to resize your photos. That way, your photo looks clean and ready to use anywhere.

Part 2: How to Remove Background in Lightroom on Mobile

Now, let us talk about how to remove the background in Lightroom mobile. This one is a little different. The app does not completely allow you to remove a background like the desktop version. If you try to mask things, it may look glitchy or strange.

But here is the trick: there is a smarter way. You can still use Lightroom mobile to darken the background using tools like masking, exposure, and radial gradient. It helps hide the background by making it super dark while keeping the central part bright.

Step 1Open the Play Store or App Store. Type Lightroom and install it. After that, open the app. Tap the Photo button to pick a picture from your gallery. Once it loads into Lightroom, look for a little circle called Masking at the bottom and click it.

Step 2Tap on Select Subject or Brush. Then, use your finger to brush over the part you want to keep. After that, go to Exposure. Slide it all the way down to make the background super dark. It will help hide it more. Try to keep your object bright and the rest dark.

Step 3Choose Radial Gradient from the masking tools. Draw a circle over a background area. After you place it, tap Duplicate. Move and stretch the copy to other parts of the background. It helps make the whole background dark, even in the corners.

Step 4Before using the brush tool, look at the settings. Make the size small if you want to fix tiny spots. Make it bigger if you want to cover large areas fast. Be careful and take your time around the edges.

Step 5When you are happy with how it looks, tap the Checkmark to save your mask. Then, tap the Share button or Save to Device. Your edited photo will be saved with the background darkened or removed.

If your photo looks blurry after removing the background in Lightroom on mobile, you can fix it. To enhance image resolution, try using a tool like AVAide Image Upscaler. It helps enhance photo quality in just a few clicks.

Part 3: The Best Alternative to Lightroom Background Remover

Are you curious about the best alternative to Lightroom's background remover? We will now introduce it to you: it is the AVAide Background Eraser. This tool automatically finds the main subject in your photo and removes the background in just one click.

The steps are simple, and the site is easy to follow. It even shows a real-time preview, so you can see how your picture looks as the background is removed. Moreover, it works with JPG, JPEG, PNG, and even GIF files. Whether it is a selfie or a product photo, this tool gets the job done fast and clean. The best part? You do not need to install anything. It is all online and completely free!

Step 1Open your browser and type in the AVAide Background Eraser website. This tool works right online, so you do not need to install anything.

Once you are there, you will see a button that says Choose a Photo. Pick the one you want to remove the background from your local folder. The site will start loading the image right away.

Step 2After you upload your photo, the AVAide Background Eraser will scan it for you. It automatically picks out the main subject and removes the background. If it misses a spot or cuts out too much, do not worry. There is a Brush tool you can use. Just move your mouse and carefully paint around the parts you want to fix. It makes the edge of your photo look neater and cleaner.

Step 3Once everything looks good, hit the Download button. Your picture will be saved in PNG format, which means it keeps the background transparent. That way, you can use it on any other photo, poster, or design.

Extra Tip: AVAide Background Eraser is not just for erasing backgrounds. You can also crop, rotate, or change the background color to something else, like blue, white, or even your favorite photo. It is excellent if you want to give your picture a fresh, new look.

By Jane Pineda on Jun 13, 2025