How to Put a Background on a Picture: The Easy Way
Replacing a photo background is now a time and money saving technique. Previously, the task of hand-erasing every pixel of the background was really slow. It needed both patience and hefty software. Besides, it required some expertise. Even simple edits took hours, making background changes frustrating and inaccessible. As a result, many great shots never reached their full potential. Bet you have deleted tons of such pictures. Good news! With PhotoWorks, you can use AI to change the background of an image in just one click. Prefer more control? You can also adjust the background step by step with its built-in editing tools.
With PhotoWorks, a powerful but absolutely easy to use photo editor, you will be able to add a background to an image without complicated professional tools for photo editing. Download the program, install it on your computer and keep on reading - you’ll learn how to add a background to your photo step by step, and also explore mobile app options. No matter your skill level, you’re sure to find the perfect solution in this guide.


The photo looks so much better with the new background
Transform Your Image Instantly with an AI Background Changer
Before you get down to editing your images, make sure you have the software ready to use. Press the button to download PhotoWorks and begin the installation process - it’s a lightweight program, so it will take you mere seconds.
Now simply launch the tool, upload your image, and choose “Automatically”. The smart algorithm will detect the subject and remove the original background, replacing it with a clean, white backdrop in just a few seconds.

Change the photo background with PhotoWorks software
After you've removed the background, you can also make your photo more personalized with clearer backgrounds or a selection of pre-set scenes, like cityscape, landscape, studio, and more. The AI background editor has total authority at your fingertips with minimal input, so any type of professional photo editing is available for everyone.

Pick from multiple built-in backgrounds to refresh the look of your image
Add Background to Image Step by Step
Here’s another way: you can change the photo background manually. Ready? Let’s give it a try!
How to Add a Different Background to a Photo in a Minute
It’s time to see what PhotoWorks can do for you - just follow these simple steps and enjoy the result.
Step 1. Select the Tool and Mark What to Keep and Change
Start PhotoWorks, import the photo for adding a background and open the Tools tab. From the toolkit, pick Change Background. The program will offer you to mark the object on the foreground with the green brush. Adjust the brush size and mark the object or a person. You don’t have to be precise - just a few strokes and PhotoWorks will determine the edges automatically. Now, pick the red brush, set its size and outline the background. It will be the area to erase or replace. Once you’re done with drawing, the software will remove the background. Click Next to move to further editing.

Mark the background to remove with the red brush
Step 2. Correct the Object’s Edges
Zoom in on the image to see any imperfections that are left. Use the object and background brushes to fix the blemishes. You can restore some details deleted by mistake or erase the remaining area of the background. Adjust the brush softness for the edges to look smoother. To make the background transparent, simply decrease the opacity and preview the result.

Use a correction brush to fix the flaws
Step 3. Add a Background to the Photo
The software will add a white background to the photo by default. You can save it with a transparent background as PNG or replace the background with a new one. With just a mouse click, you can change its color to black, grey or any other color from the standard palette. Or replace it with an image. There is a large collection of ready-to-use backgrounds in PhotoWorks - you will find it under the Select Background Image button. Check it out - you might find a suitable one. Alternatively, upload your own picture to use it as the new background. It is also possible.

Choose a plain color, a built-in image or your own picture as a new background
If you want to try some other background, take a step back by clicking Undo or hit Reset and cancel all the changes. When you have finished, apply the changes and save the edited pic with a different background.

Save the image with a new background
Prefer following a visual guide step by step? Then watch this video. It shows how you can quickly insert a background in your picture with PhotoWorks: a few brush strokes and your image has a completely new atmosphere! This way, you can also create stunning photo montages using different images.

Studied the steps? It's high time to work with your images. Download PhotoWorks for free and give your photos a totally new look!
How to Change a Background on a Picture with Mobile Apps
Want to change the background of a photo right on your phone? There are plenty of mobile apps for iOS and Android that let you do it in just a few taps. Now let’s see what those photo editors are like.
Some mobile apps offer a background change with AI that automatically detects the subject and erases the background. Then, you can change the photo background to white, make it transparent, or pick a ready-made scene for a more creative look.
Want to edit your photos in a couple of taps? Then download a PhotoRoom. It's an intuitive background photo editing application powered by AI, allowing you to instantly erase and replace any background — from plain white to scenic views. You can also fine-tune the result manually for extra precision.
iPhone users often ask: “How do I add a background in an iPhone photo?” The answer is simple — apps like Picsart provide all-in-one editing features, letting you swap backgrounds, apply filters, and retouch images effortlessly. Android users can try this perfect photo background changer to replace the background with another - add your image, delete the current background manually or automatically, and add the photo with the desired one.

Use Remove.bg to add a background to a picture
Want to change the background of a photo online instead? Try this web-based editor. Upload your file, wait till the program processes the picture, and click Edit to insert the background you want. But keep in mind that there are limitations in the free version, e.g. low resolution. Still wondering what's the best app for adding backgrounds to photos? Try a few options and see what works best for you. No design skills needed — everything is automated and user-friendly.
How to Add a White Background to a Photo
Searching for an efficient method to modify your images? PhotoWorks offers a powerful solution to change the photo background to white in just a few steps. This function is extremely beneficial for images that require a background that is free of distractions, such as product images, profile pictures, and portfolio images.
Using the AI-powered background removal tool, you can automatically detect the subject and replace the existing background with a crisp white one - no graphic design skills needed. You also get manual tools to refine the edges for a more precise result. Although this is a desktop program, it functions more quickly and precisely than numerous online photo editors which change background color to white, giving you high-quality results without any watermarks or resolution limits. No matter if you're aiming for a minimalist aesthetic or need a neutral backdrop, PhotoWorks makes it easy to achieve a studio-like white background.

Here, we’ve changed the background to a bright, professional white.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add a background to an existing photo?
Placing a background on a photo involves first cutting the original background with the help of a background image editing tool. Then, you can place a new background, like color fill, gradient, or a custom picture. Most programs and web-based editors enable this to be accomplished with just a few clicks using drag-and-drop actions and AI-powered object detection for instant and tidy results. They even have background presets, like studio walls, landscapes, or abstracts, so you can enhance your photo right away without having to search for new images.
What makes a perfect photo background changer?
An ideal tool offers both automatic and manual photo background editing, has simple controls, high quality output, and supports solid colors and even scenic landscapes as background styles. It should also support batch processing and options like transparency or color matching to ensure the subject blends well with the background. Some good applications include smart feathering and edge refinement to avoid unnatural cutouts.
Do I need any design skills to change a photo background?
Not at all. Thanks to modern editing tools especially those with AI support - you don’t need any prior experience. Most apps and online editors are intuitive, offering guided steps and automatic features like background detection or object selection. You can change the background in just a few clicks or taps, without struggling with complex settings or manual selections.
Can I use my own image as a new background?
Yes, most background changers enable you to upload your own image that will be the new background. You can thereby replace the standard background with whatever you like — a landscape view, plain color, office scene, or branded template. This is especially useful if you want to maintain a consistent appearance for social media, product photos, or ID photos.
What image formats are supported when editing backgrounds?
The majority of background editing tools support popular formats such as JPG, PNG, and sometimes even BMP or TIFF. If you're planning to keep a transparent background (for use in logos, stickers, or layered designs), it's best to save the image as a PNG file, as JPG does not support transparency. Always check the export options before saving your final image.
Will changing the background lower the image quality?
That depends on the tool you're using. High-end desktop programs and paid mobile apps usually maintain the original image quality after editing. Some online tools may reduce the quality or restrict the output dimensions — especially in their free versions. If maintaining high quality is important for your project, choose an editor that supports high-resolution exports. Also, look for apps that offer edge smoothing and advanced blending, as poor cutouts or harsh edges can make the final image appear low-quality even if the resolution remains high.
Can I use an online photo editor to change background color to white?
Absolutely. Most online photo editors include a one-click option to change the background color to white. After uploading your image, the AI removes the original background automatically, letting you instantly apply a pure white backdrop ideal for professional portraits or product photos.
The background is a crucial part of any photograph - it can either ruin the whole idea or make the image even more eye-catching. That’s why you should take care of it no matter what kind of photo you took. In this article, we showed you how to put a background on a picture using the best photo editors - online, mobile, and computer programs. It’s time to give them all a try, but we highly recommend beginning with PhotoWorks since it’s a lightweight yet powerful photo editor that you can try for free. Go ahead and level up your pictures today!