Is Photoshop Mobile Adobe’s Boldest Leap Into Touchscreen Editing?
At last, Adobe Photoshop comes to the iPhone, and it just might be great. After nearly two decades of experimentation on smartphones, Adobe’s new Photoshop Mobile may have cracked the code on touchscreen editing. Following 16 years of attempts to bring Photoshop apps to the phone, Adobe is launching its most convincing version yet. Called Photoshop Mobile and available in the App Store today, this is Adobe’s first earnest attempt to bring the unique powers of Photoshop’s desktop version to mobile, tailored specifically for a touchscreen interface.
Unlike previous iterations, this new Photoshop has been built from the ground up for mobile devices, syncing seamlessly with Photoshop on the web and desktop. An Android version is expected later this summer. Professionals will appreciate some key technical highlights: unlimited layers, no restrictions on file sizes, and a streamlined approach to masking and selections. While vector drawing tools are not included in this initial release, Adobe has confirmed that shape tools are on the way. For casual users, the app is free to download, but many advanced features are included in an $8 per month subscription, which also grants access to Photoshop on the web.
The app's user experience has been reimagined with a "select and do" workflow, a departure from the drop-down menus and tool palettes that define the desktop version. Instead of searching through menus, users simply tap on an area of the image to be edited, and Photoshop suggests the next steps. Tap on a subject—whether it’s a person, an object, or a background—and Photoshop’s AI-powered Tap Select tool isolates it instantly. Once selected, contextual options appear, allowing users to make adjustments, apply Generative Fill, or refine the selection further. This design shift makes advanced photo editing feel intuitive, even for those unfamiliar with Photoshop’s traditional interface.
Adobe has a long history of experimenting with mobile versions of Photoshop. Their first attempt dates back to 2009 with the Photoshop.com mobile app, which offered only basic tools like cropping and color adjustments. Over the years, Adobe introduced Photoshop Mix (2014), Photoshop Fix (2015), and Photoshop Express, which still exists today as a lightweight alternative. However, none of these apps truly captured the essence of Photoshop. Photoshop Mobile is different. It is the first app to bring Photoshop’s foundational workflow—layers, masking, and non-destructive editing—to a small touchscreen without sacrificing power or usability.
Beyond its new interface, Photoshop Mobile seamlessly integrates with Adobe’s ecosystem. It connects with Adobe Express, Adobe Fresco, and Adobe Lightroom, allowing users to shift between apps effortlessly. With its AI-powered Firefly tools, users can take advantage of Generative Fill and Generative Expand, offering new ways to create and manipulate imagery with just a few taps. The premium subscription unlocks advanced tools like Object Select, Magic Wand, and Content-Aware Fill, along with additional cloud storage.
Unlike Photoshop on desktop, which is part of the broader Creative Cloud subscription model, Photoshop Mobile adopts a freemium pricing approach similar to Adobe’s Firefly-powered video model. The app is free to download and use, offering basic editing capabilities, but many of its most powerful features require a subscription. Priced at $7.99 per month or $69.99 per year, the premium plan unlocks professional tools and includes access to Photoshop on the web. This pricing model marks a significant shift for Adobe, as it positions Photoshop Mobile as an independent offering rather than bundling it within existing Creative Cloud subscriptions.
This move reflects a growing trend in Adobe’s approach to mobile and AI-powered tools. By separating Photoshop Mobile from the traditional Creative Cloud suite, Adobe is making it more accessible to users who might not need a full subscription. It also mirrors the approach taken with Firefly’s generative AI tools, which have their own standalone pricing structure. As Adobe continues to expand its mobile-first and AI-driven offerings, this freemium model may signal a broader shift in how the company monetizes its creative software.
From a business perspective, Photoshop Mobile is an important move for Adobe. Today’s creators, particularly younger generations, often rely on mobile-first design tools like Canva or social media’s built-in editing features. By introducing a powerful yet intuitive mobile Photoshop, Adobe is looking to attract this new audience while also giving professionals a capable on-the-go solution. Adobe has already seen success with mobile apps—Lightroom, for example, now has more mobile users than desktop users. With Photoshop Mobile, Adobe aims to replicate that success by making high-end photo editing accessible on a device that millions of people use every day.
Looking ahead, Adobe plans to continuously expand Photoshop Mobile’s capabilities, refining its features based on user feedback. While the app is already a powerful editing tool, future updates will likely introduce more advanced functionalities, including shape tools and additional AI-powered selections. The challenge now is not just expanding features but also making sure the app meets the needs of both professionals and newcomers alike.
With this launch, Adobe is not merely bringing Photoshop to mobile—it’s reimagining how photo editing works in a mobile-first world. By blending touch-optimized workflows, AI-powered assistance, and cloud integration, Photoshop Mobile may finally be the breakthrough that mobile creatives have been waiting for.
