Photoshop Arrives on Android: Beta App Now Available
Android users can now get their hands on a mobile-optimised version of Adobe Photoshop, as the company announced the release of the app’s beta version for the Android platform. This highly anticipated launch comes four months after Adobe introduced its Photoshop app for iPhone.
Photoshop on Android: Feature-Rich Mobile Editing
The new Android app provides a robust set of editing tools familiar to desktop Photoshop users, including essential features like layering and masking, all meticulously optimised for mobile screens. During this initial beta phase, users will have free access to the app’s comprehensive capabilities.
Among the standout features available are the ability to combine and blend images using powerful tools such as selections, layers, and masks. The app also incorporates advanced AI features, including “Generative Fill,” which allows users to seamlessly add or transform elements within their images. Quick removal or replacement of image parts is made easy with the “Tap Select” tool. Furthermore, users gain access to a library of free Adobe Stock assets and can precisely control layers and effects with blend modes and adjustment layers.
For refining images, users can leverage the “Spot Healing Brush” to eliminate distractions and utilise the “Remove” and “Clone Stamp tools” for precise touch-ups. More accurate selections are possible with the “Object Select” and “Magic Wand” features.
Adobe has indicated plans to introduce additional capabilities to the app in the near future.
Targeting New and Existing Users
The expansion of Photoshop to mobile devices is a strategic move by Adobe to broaden its user base, particularly targeting younger creators who frequently use their smartphones for creative purposes. For existing Photoshop users, the mobile app enhances accessibility, catering to those who prefer the flexibility of working on their phones.
System Requirements and Future Plans
Photoshop on Android (beta) is currently compatible with devices running Android 11 or later, requiring a minimum of 6GB of RAM, with Adobe recommending 8GB or more for optimal performance. Download the app now on the Google Play Store.
Notably, the iPhone version of the app launched with both free and paid features and offers integration with Photoshop on the web for a fee. It remains to be seen when Adobe plans to introduce this web integration capability to the Android app.
