Powerful Image Editing App 'Pixelmator' Expands to the iPhone - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Powerful Image Editing App 'Pixelmator' Expands to the iPhone

by

Back in October, popular Mac image editing app Pixelmator was brought to iOS in the form of an iPad app, and as of today, that iOS app is being expanded to the iPhone. Pixelmator for iOS is now a universal app, giving iPhone users a way to edit their images with Pixelmator's powerful image editing tools for the first time.

iPhone support is an important step in Pixelmator's evolution and will let the company reach a much wider customer base. For many people, the iPhone has largely replaced point and shoot cameras. Image sharing site Flickr, for example, lists Apple's iPhones as the top three most popular cameras.

There are already a wealth of image editing apps available for the iPhone, but Pixelmator sets itself apart with a solid set of tools packaged in an accessible interface and iCloud interconnectivity with the Pixelmator Mac app.

pixelmatorphotoadjustments
Pixelmator for iPhone offers the same tools available in the iPad app, so those who have used the previous version of the app will be familiar with its capabilities. On the iPhone, Pixelmator's photo editing tools are likely to be the most useful, letting users adjust colors, fix lighting, add filters, crop, straighten, and distort photographs.

There are also powerful retouching tools that can be used to remove unwanted objects from images, much like in the Mac app. Tools have granular adjustments for making minor tweaks to the look of a photo, and there are brush-on effects in the "Retouch" menu that let users paint on image-correcting adjustments with a finger.

pixelmatorpainting
Pixelmator can also be used by artists and mobile designers to create original paintings, drawings, and compositions directly on the iPhone. It has support for more than 100 brushes and it includes a color picker and an eyedropper for managing colors. There's a smear tool for softening image edges, and a wet-painting feature for creating watercolor images. Pixelmator also includes support for words, shapes, and layers, with non-destructive layer styles and blending modes.

pixelmatorlayers
Like the previous iPad version, the new Pixelmator has support for iOS 8 features like iCloud Drive, Extensions, and Handoff. Images created on the iPhone will sync to the iPad and the Mac automatically, and it's also possible to begin an image on one device and switch over to another using Handoff. A Photos extension mades Pixelmator's editing tools available directly in the Photos app.

The iPhone app is being included in the existing Pixelmator app as an update, so all consumers who have previously purchased Pixelmator for iPad can download the new iPhone app at no charge.

Pixelmator for iOS can be downloaded from the App Store for $4.99. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

148 months ago
My hat is off the the effort put in by this team of geeks.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
peglegjack Avatar
148 months ago
I have this on my iPad Air 2, but decided to see if it would run on my iPhone 4S as well. Needlessly to say I absolutely stunned at how well it actually ran. What an absolutely amazing job they've done here.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
148 months ago
I own the iPad version and I was prepared to pay another $5, but they went universal. That was unexpected. Thanks
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
morespce54 Avatar
148 months ago
Excellent, this made my day. No one could have blamed them if they'd charged for it as a separate app, making it universal is just typical of their awesomeness. I am proud to have been an early owner of the previously more expensive Pixelmator on OS X and then later on iPad, and I don't begrudge them a penny I've spent on it, as it's just got better and better.[...]


TBH, I bought the Mac App when it first hit the App Store thinking I could use it to do some quick touch ups while using PS for heavy works. It turns out, I'm using Pixelmator so much I haven't fire up PS more than 3 or 4 time last year. Once you get the hold of it, you can do so much, it's amazing (even more, with the Vectormator mode [Command-Shift-V]).
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mad Mac Maniac Avatar
148 months ago
Next step... APPLE WATCH!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
teslo Avatar
148 months ago
It just won't be a pleasurable experience on such a small screen, no matter how well executed

of course it will be. for a documented bajillion people, it's a pleasurable experience just taking pics and putting crappy filters on them, now you have MORE capabilities than the norm. on your phone. which travels everywhere with you.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26 Battery Glass Feature

Three Years of 80% Charge Limits on iPhone: The Results

Tuesday October 6, 2026 12:59 pm PDT by
Since 2023, Apple's newer iPhones have had an 80 percent charge limit for those who want to extend battery lifespan. Charging to 80 percent instead of 100 percent is supposed to put less stress on the battery, improving longevity. For the last three years, I've used that setting on my iPhone. I started with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, then did the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and most recently, the iPhone...
MagSafe 3 Cable Midnight Feature

Apple Releases MagSafe 3 Charging Cable Firmware Update

Monday October 5, 2026 5:59 am PDT by
For the first time since February 2023, Apple has released a firmware update for the MagSafe 3 charging cable for the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. Specifically, Apple last week released firmware version 3.2.0 for the USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable. The previous firmware version for the cable was 3.1.12. It is unclear what is included in the latest firmware, as Apple does not publish release...
Prime Big Deal Days 25 Red and Green

Amazon Launches Prime Day Discounts on AirPods, iPad, MacBook Air, and More

Sunday October 4, 2026 9:15 am PDT by
Earlier this week, we began tracking early Prime Day deals on Apple-related accessories, and now Amazon has introduced major early deals on Apple products as well. This includes AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and more, all available at some of the lowest prices of the year so far. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small...
Latest Stories
Apple Drops Intel Macs From Magic Mouse/Trackpad Compatibility Lists
Apple Drops Intel Macs From Magic Mouse/Trackpad Compatibility Lists
1 minute ago
Apple Reportedly Waiting on Samsung for Ultimate Bezel-Free iPhone Display
Apple Reportedly Waiting on Samsung for Ultimate Bezel-Free iPhone Display
27 minutes ago
Apple's Own Home Security Camera Still Coming Next Year
Apple's Own Home Security Camera Still Coming Next Year
2 hours ago
Unfolded iPhone Duo Lets You Preview Documents in a Two-Page Layout
Unfolded iPhone Duo Lets You Preview Documents in a Two-Page Layout
3 hours ago
Formula 1 Coverage on Apple TV to Get Dolby Atmos Later This Month
Formula 1 Coverage on Apple TV to Get Dolby Atmos Later This Month
4 hours ago
LG Making Doorbell, Lock, and Cameras for Apple's Home Hub
LG Making Doorbell, Lock, and Cameras for Apple's Home Hub
15 hours ago
Apple to Report Q4 2026 Earnings on November 2
Apple to Report Q4 2026 Earnings on November 2
15 hours ago
Three Years of 80% Charge Limits on iPhone: The Results
Three Years of 80% Charge Limits on iPhone: The Results
17 hours ago
macOS 27.2 Further Hints at MacBook With Touch-Enabled OLED Display
macOS 27.2 Further Hints at MacBook With Touch-Enabled OLED Display
18 hours ago
The 15 Best Apple Deals Under $200 for Prime Day
The 15 Best Apple Deals Under $200 for Prime Day
19 hours ago
AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2 Get Big Price Drops for Prime Day
AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2 Get Big Price Drops for Prime Day
19 hours ago
Apple Releases Second Public Betas of iOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2
Apple Releases Second Public Betas of iOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2
20 hours ago
'Crossy Road Rush' Launching Exclusively on Apple Arcade in November
'Crossy Road Rush' Launching Exclusively on Apple Arcade in November
20 hours ago
Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Is It Worth Upgrading?
Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Is It Worth Upgrading?
21 hours ago
Prime Day Savings: TVs, Headphones, Chargers, and Other Tech Accessories
Prime Day Savings: TVs, Headphones, Chargers, and Other Tech Accessories
21 hours ago
Apple TV 4K Rumored to Support Four HomePods for Surround Sound
Apple TV 4K Rumored to Support Four HomePods for Surround Sound
22 hours ago
iPhone 18 Pro and Duo Were Once Planned With 16GB RAM, Leaker Says
iPhone 18 Pro and Duo Were Once Planned With 16GB RAM, Leaker Says
22 hours ago
Apple's Entire Mac Lineup Gets Massive Discounts for Prime Day
Apple's Entire Mac Lineup Gets Massive Discounts for Prime Day
23 hours ago
Prime Day iPad Deals Include Low Prices on iPad Air, iPad Mini, and More
Prime Day iPad Deals Include Low Prices on iPad Air, iPad Mini, and More
23 hours ago
Apple's $634 Million Apple Watch Patent Bill Just Got Even Bigger
Apple's $634 Million Apple Watch Patent Bill Just Got Even Bigger
1 day ago
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days Offers Major Discounts on AirPods, iPads, and Much More
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days Offers Major Discounts on AirPods, iPads, and Much More
9 minutes ago
Microsoft OneDrive to Drop Support for These iPhone Models
Microsoft OneDrive to Drop Support for These iPhone Models
1 day ago
HomePod Mini Waits Reach Eight Weeks Ahead of Rumored Refresh
HomePod Mini Waits Reach Eight Weeks Ahead of Rumored Refresh
1 day ago
Apple Music Is Getting a New Logo
Apple Music Is Getting a New Logo
1 day ago
Apple Quietly Boosts Email Feature for iCloud+ Subscribers
Apple Quietly Boosts Email Feature for iCloud+ Subscribers
6 hours ago
iOS 27.2 May Let You Hide Specific Suggested Actions in Messages
iOS 27.2 May Let You Hide Specific Suggested Actions in Messages
1 day ago
Sources: Apple Planning Two Sets of Product Launches in October
Sources: Apple Planning Two Sets of Product Launches in October
1 day ago
Apple Announces iPhone Duo Apps Can Now Be Submitted to App Store
Apple Announces iPhone Duo Apps Can Now Be Submitted to App Store
1 day ago
macOS 27.2 Adds Touch Gestures Ahead of MacBook Ultra
macOS 27.2 Adds Touch Gestures Ahead of MacBook Ultra
2 days ago
Apple and AT&T Have Yet to Explain Cause of iPhone 18 Pro Max Issue
Apple and AT&T Have Yet to Explain Cause of iPhone 18 Pro Max Issue
2 days ago