Quick Answer
There are a few different ways to send a WhatsApp picture without the background:
- Use the Cutout feature in WhatsApp to remove the background before sending the photo.
- Edit the photo in another app to remove the background and save the edited version, then send the new photo in WhatsApp.
- Cover the background with white space or a color before sending.
The easiest option is to use WhatsApp’s built-in Cutout feature to instantly remove backgrounds. You can also edit photos in other apps like Snapseed, Adobe Photoshop Express, or Background Eraser to erase backgrounds before sending the picture in WhatsApp.
Using WhatsApp’s Cutout Feature
WhatsApp added a convenient Cutout feature in 2020 that allows you to instantly remove photo backgrounds right within the app. Here are the steps:
- Open the WhatsApp chat where you want to send the photo.
- Tap the Attach button and select the photo to send.
- Tap the scissors icon at the bottom left. This activates Cutout mode.
- Trace around the subject with your finger to cut them out.
- Tap Done at the top right once you’ve finished tracing.
- The background will be erased, leaving only the cutout person/object.
- Tap Send to send the photo without a background.
That’s all there is to it! The Cutout feature detects edges and removes the entire background instantly. Here are some tips for best results:
- Get close to the edges of the subject when tracing.
- Trace slowly and carefully, especially around intricate edges like hair, lace, or tree branches.
- Zoom in if needed by pinching fingers outwards to trace tricky edges more precisely.
- If the result isn’t perfect, tap Undo and trace again.
With a little practice, you’ll get the hang of using Cutout to erase backgrounds easily before sending photos in WhatsApp chats or groups.
Limitations of WhatsApp Cutout
While very convenient, WhatsApp’s Cutout feature does have some limitations:
- It can’t remove complex or cluttered backgrounds.
- Hair and fine details like lace may get erased partially.
- It only allows tracing one subject – you can’t cut out multiple subjects.
- There is no option to manually erase mistakes or refine the edges.
For photos with busy backgrounds or multiple subjects, you’ll get better results removing the background in a proper editing app before sending in WhatsApp.
Using Editing Apps to Remove Background
Many photo editing apps allow removing photo backgrounds precisely. You can edit a picture in an app to erase the background completely, then save and send the edited photo through WhatsApp. Here are some good options:
Snapseed
Snapseed is a free and powerful photo editor from Google. To remove backgrounds:
- Open the photo in Snapseed and tap Tools at the bottom.
- Select the Healing tool (bandaid icon).
- Brush over the background areas to remove.
- Tap Apply when done and save the photo to your device.
You can manually paint over any leftover background spots using the Healing tool.
Adobe Photoshop Express
Adobe’s free Photoshop Express app provides precise background removal:
- Import a photo and tap the Remove button.
- Use the Erase tool to paint over the background.
- Tap Done and save the edited photo to your device.
Like Snapseed, you have full control over erasing the background. Photoshop Express also lets you refine edges to help blend the subject better against the new background.
Background Eraser
As the name suggests, Background Eraser focuses specifically on removing backgrounds from photos.
- Open a picture and use the eraser tool to rub out the background.
- Tap and hold to switch to a magic eraser to automate background removal.
- Save and export the background-less photo.
Background Eraser provides both manual and automatic options for precise cutting out.
Covering the Background
Instead of erasing backgrounds, you can also cover them up before sending:
- White background: Cover the photo background with white space or color using an app.
- Stickers: Overlay a large sticker or emoji over the background.
- Doodle: Scribble or doodle solid colors over the background with a drawing tool.
These approaches work if the background isn’t too complex. The white space method is easiest – just use an app to add a white background behind the photo’s subject.
Online Background Removers
Don’t want to download any apps? You can remove backgrounds from photos online using free web tools:
| Website | Features |
|---|---|
| remo.ai | AI-powered background remover with brush for refinement |
| Befunky.com | Select subjects to instantly remove backgrounds |
| Picsart.com | Includes magic eraser and manual background editor |
| Photopea.com | Online Photoshop alternative with background removal |
These websites provide quick and easy background removal tools for editing photos right in the browser.
Photo Format Limitations
WhatsApp compresses images during sending to optimize space. This can result in minor quality loss:
- Photos are compressed to about 1MB max while sending.
- Compression is higher for photos shared in groups vs 1-on-1 chats.
- Details like text become less sharp, especially in dark sections.
To minimize impact:
- Use high quality originals before sending in WhatsApp.
- Avoid excessive editing like too many filters.
- Send smaller resolution images if very high detail isn’t needed.
WhatsApp also only supports certain image formats – JPG, PNG, GIF, or BMP. Unsupported formats like PSD, RAW, TIFF won’t send.
Using WhatsApp Web
You can also remove backgrounds before sending photos through WhatsApp Web, the browser version for PC:
- Go to web.whatsapp.com in your desktop browser.
- Open the chat where you want to send the photo.
- Click Attach > Photo/Video and select the image file.
- Edit the photo to remove background using an online tool or desktop app.
- Save the edited image and attach in WhatsApp Web again.
- The photo will now send without a background.
This allows using the full power of background removal tools like Photoshop or GIMP on a bigger screen.
Conclusion
Removing photo backgrounds is easy before sending pictures in WhatsApp:
- Use the built-in Cutout tool to instantly erase backgrounds.
- Edit photos in apps like Snapseed, Photoshop Express, or Background Eraser.
- Cover backgrounds with white space, stickers, or doodles.
- Try online background removers from any browser.
Just remember WhatsApp’s photo compression and format limitations. With the right tools, you can send background-free pictures in both individual and group WhatsApp chats.