How to Remove a Background on Mac
Part of the guide: Background remover
macOS has a built-in way to remove a background on recent versions, and there are apps for bigger jobs. Exact menu wording can change between macOS releases, so use these steps as a guide and check Apple's documentation for your version.
Option 1: Preview
On recent macOS versions, Preview can remove the background from an image:
- Open the image in Preview.
- Show the Markup toolbar.
- Click the Remove Background button. If you do not see it, your macOS may be too old for this feature.
- Save or export the result as PNG to keep transparency.
Option 2: Finder quick action
On recent macOS versions you can right-click an image in Finder and look under Quick Actions for Remove Background. It creates a new image with the background removed, next to the original. You can select several files and run it on all of them, though you get no control over the model or edges.
Option 3: A background remover app
For batches, hair and fur, or output control, an app is better. BG Remover Pro is the Mac app we make. It processes on your Mac, handles any number of images in one batch, has a before/after slider on every result, and exports PNG, JPEG or WebP. It needs an Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 14 or later. You can process 20 images free first.
Which Mac method should you use?
| You want | Use |
|---|---|
| One quick cutout | Preview or Finder quick action |
| A few images, no install | Finder quick action |
| Many images, more control, hair and fur | A background remover app |
| Full manual control | An image editor |
Tips
- Export as PNG, not JPEG, to keep transparency.
- Check the result on a dark background for halos.
- Keep the original file.
For the general method, see how to remove the background from an image, and for large batches see bulk background removal.
Frequently asked questions
Can I remove a background on a Mac for free?
Yes, on recent macOS versions Preview and Finder have a built-in Remove Background option. Free tiers of online tools and trials of apps also work.
Why don't I see Remove Background in Preview?
Your macOS version may be too old for it, or you need to open the Markup toolbar. Check Apple's documentation for your version.
How do I remove backgrounds from many images on a Mac?
Use a batch-capable app, or select multiple images in Finder and use the quick action if it is available.
Does BG Remover Pro work on Intel Macs?
No. It is built for Apple Silicon (M1 and newer) Macs on macOS 14 or later.
Need to do this for a whole folder?
BG Remover Pro is the Mac app we make. It removes backgrounds in bulk, on your Mac, with nothing uploaded, and you can try 20 images free. See pricing or what it does.
