How to use Apple’s new iOS16 feature to create photo cuts outs on your iPhone

Tech-lovers are sharing an impressive new selfie hack featured on the newest iPhone update. 

Apple’s iOS 16 update has been live for just over a week and includes a ‘genius’ new feature that allows users to lift a subject out of a photo and paste it into messages or notes just by pressing down on the image.

Those who are aware of it have been ‘obsessing’ over the feature and many have been using it to keep a digital archive of their outfits. 

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Social media is a buzz as iPhone users discover a ‘genius’ new feature on Apple’s iOS 16 that allows users to lift a subject out of the background of a photo and paste it into messages

Fashion blogger McCaulay, from Massachusetts, showed his followers in a TikTok video how to use the feature that is perfect for those who are often stuck for what to wear each morning.

He said iPhone users can hold their finger down on the main subject of a photo and it will automatically create a cut-out that can be copied or shared into notes, messages and other apps.

The trick works for photos and screenshots as well as in Quick Look and Safari. 

‘Honestly this is great for me because I take a picture of pretty much every outfit I wear,’ Macaulay said in the TikTok clip that has racked up more than one million views. 

Fashion blogger McCaulay, from Massachusetts, showed his followers in a TikTok video how to use the feature that is perfect for those who are often stuck for what to wear each morning

iPhone users can hold their finger down on the main subject of a photo and it will automatically create a cut-out that can be copied or shared into notes, messages and other apps

‘I’m going to start copying and pasting all of my different photos into my notes app to create this little archive so I can easily reference them in the future.’ 

Style TikToker Natalie, from Los Angeles, was also raving about the handy hack calling the cut outs ‘little Polly Pockets’. 

She used the feature to keep track of her outfits and organise them into separate categories including ‘being hot’, ‘dinner’, and ‘you will be comfy’.

Natalie also showed viewers how to adjust the size of the snippets in the notes app if they want to create their own outfit record.  

‘Copy and paste your Polly Pocket into your army of other dolls, hold it down and you’ll see it’ll say small or large images,’ she explained.

‘When you hold that down, it’ll switch all of the existing polly pockets to that size.’

Commenters on both clips were wowed by the tip with many calling it ‘genius’ while others likened it to the then-fictional technology main character Cher had for her wardrobe in the beloved nineties teen movie Clueless. 

‘I have been waiting for this moment since Clueless. The future is now,’ one viewer wrote. 

‘This is everything I’ve ever needed,’ replied another. 

‘I’m crying, I’m doing nothing but this for the rest of the day,’ said a third. 

Another new feature on iOS 16 update allows users to unsend any message for up to two minutes after sending it and edit a message up to 15 minutes after it’s sent.

A Sydney etiquette expert has revealed the possible flaws editing messages could have.

Julie Lamberg-Burnet, founder and CEO of the Sydney School of Protocol, told FEMAIL all iPhone users should be mindful of text messages sent to avoid confusion that could potentially damage relationships. 

While having the ability to edit text messages will fix grammatical errors, it’s important to ensure the message is understood.  

‘Digital messages can often be misinterpreted and the added functionality for editing and removing opens up further opportunities to create mixed perceptions and impact your reputation,’ Julie said. 

‘This is an interesting point and in essence the tools are useful to be able to alter potentially damaging or embarrassing comments,’ Julie continued. 

The Apple iPhone iOS 16 update allows users to unsend any message for up to two minutes after sending it and edit a message up to 15 minutes after it’s sent. Julie Lamberg-Burnet said this might lead to social faux pas and miscommunication among relationships (stock image) 

‘However, this only serves to remind us all that we should ensure we are both careful about committing our thoughts to messages and if we do to spend the extra time to review and edit what we have written before we press send. 

‘With the added tools on iOS iPhones we need to be more mindful of how we are managing messages to avoid confusion, sending mixed signals and potentially impacting relationships, both on a business and personal level.’ 

To avoid any potential embarrassment or confusion, Julie recommends keeping messages brief and calling someone if needed instead of texting. 

She also highlighted the fact that not everyone has time to scroll through message threads and read if anything has been edited or removed.  

‘If in doubt about the information you wish to message, call on the phone or speak in person,’ she said. 

‘Also avoid messaging either confidential, embarrassing or private information.’ 

Due to the nature of texting, it’s easy for a message to be misinterpreted and can lead to misunderstandings.