pixelmatorPixelmator for the iPhone and iPad was today updated to version 2.0.2, adding the first major new features since the app expanded to the iPhone in May. The 2.0.2 update brings Dynamic Touch, a new feature for all of the app's Retouch tools.

With Dynamic Touch, users can adjust the stroke size of Retouch tools without needing to open up the brush settings menu for faster image corrections. Dynamic Touch detects the surface area of the finger that's in contact with the screen and changes the brush size accordingly. If you paint with just the tip of your finger, the brush will be thinner, while painting with a full finger on the screen will make the brush thicker.

Today's update brings the Pixelmator for Mac repair tool algorithm to iOS, which makes removing unwanted images from a photograph or image quicker and more precise. According to the app's release notes, the repair tool is up to five times faster.

"There are numerous ways to repair any area of an image, so we did a lot of testing on a Mac Pro to optimize the algorithm of our Repair tool," said Simonas Bastys, the lead developer of the Pixelmator Team. "We analyzed millions of possible ways to repair areas of various complexity, and then compared the speed and quality ratio of each final result. After six months of testing, we derived a repairing algorithm that gives stunning quality with incredible speed every single time. Pixelmator for iOS now takes advantage of the same algorithm."

In addition to the above mentioned features, Pixelmator is also gaining an improved Pixelmator Photo Editing extension for editing directly within Apple's Photos app, and the Pixelmator team is also introducing both an iOS Guide Book and a selection of tutorials that will help iPhone users get the most out of the photo editing app.

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

Top Rated Comments

flowsy Avatar
137 months ago
I just bought a Nikon Camera and decided to get pixelmator on my iMac. Still playing with the camera and have not started with photo editing, but that is coming. My big disappointment is that in order to use the software on the iPad, I need to buy the software AGAIN. I may get the iPad version since it is only USD$5.00, but I will do so begrudgingly. Would have prefered to pay a little more on the mac and have the iOS version given for free (maybe through a redeemable coupon).
I'm afraid to tell you: You will have to pay for every Nikon lens you might get in the future.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Keane16 Avatar
137 months ago
I just bought a Nikon Camera and decided to get pixelmator on my iMac. Still playing with the camera and have not started with photo editing, but that is coming. My big disappointment is that in order to use the software on the iPad, I need to buy the software AGAIN. I may get the iPad version since it is only USD$5.00, but I will do so begrudgingly. Would have prefered to pay a little more on the mac and have the iOS version given for free (maybe through a redeemable coupon).
That really is not viable. Unless they started charging more for the Mac app in the first place to cover the iOS development costs. But then there would be users who only use the Mac version that are in effect paying for the iPad version that they don't use. Or conversely, users that only want the iPad version and not the Mac.

The iPad app is completely different, if it was a simple case of clicking a button and recompiling the Mac app for iPad, sure. But it's so much more involved than that. They really deserve to charge for all the platforms, the software is superb.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPark Avatar
137 months ago
I just bought a Nikon Camera and decided to get pixelmator on my iMac. Still playing with the camera and have not started with photo editing, but that is coming. My big disappointment is that in order to use the software on the iPad, I need to buy the software AGAIN. I may get the iPad version since it is only USD$5.00, but I will do so begrudgingly. Would have prefered to pay a little more on the mac and have the iOS version given for free (maybe through a redeemable coupon).
You would have preferred to pay $5 more on the mac and received the iOS version for free? I feel like I'm being trolled here...
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TMRJIJ Avatar
137 months ago
I love this app. These guys know how to innovate.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Keane16 Avatar
137 months ago
on my 5S using the repair function takes a good 30sec or more to process if the image is detailed (and heats it up significantly). might be different on the 6/6+ but i've yet to hear from anyone about it.
I haven't noticed any serious heating up on either my iPad Air 2 or iPhone 6. But The 6 is definitely slower than the iPad. Not much you can do. The 5s is coming up to 2 years old, the processing power of these mobile chips is still growing ridiculously, it's to be expected. You've got to remember that the repair tool is the same algorithm running on their desktop app, repackaged to run on iOS - that's got to take some grunt to drive.

The heat part should be nothing to worry about, if it was getting too hot the OS would throttle the CPU speed and if it was an issue shut down. An example, in graph form: http://www.anandtech.com/show/7460/apple-ipad-air-review/3

So now it takes 24 seconds on a 5s?
:D
6 seconds? Ha, in all seriousness it's probably "up to 5x". And even then only on the latest hardware.

I think that they should charge for the iOS version. What I was trying to say is that they should give the iOS version for free to buyers of the OSX version. That is why I stated they should include a redeemable coupon. Also, I would think that a budled package of OSX and iOS versions would not require raising the price the full $5.
I own both the OS X and iOS version. Happily paid. And will pay for future major releases if that's what they want. I hate this race to the bottom in software. Good software is worth paying for. $5 is almost nothing when you already own the OS X app, an iOS device and a Mac.

Nothing more annoying than good software dying because the devs ran out of money. Everpix still hurts.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jlc1978 Avatar
137 months ago
I think that they should charge for the iOS version. What I was trying to say is that they should give the iOS version for free to buyers of the OSX version. That is why I stated they should include a redeemable coupon. Also, I would think that a budled package of OSX and iOS versions would not require raising the price the full $5.
The problem is that Apple really doesn't make it easy to do that, and would probably charge them for each redemption. In the end, it's far easier to simply charge for both, and it's not like $5 is unreasonable, compared to say, OmniGraffle...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
maxresdefault

Hands-On With a Rough iPhone Fold Mockup

Monday December 29, 2025 10:55 am PST by
Apple is rumored to be introducing a foldable iPhone in September 2026, and since it will bring the biggest form factor change since the iPhone was introduced in 2007, curiosity about the design is high. A 3D designer created an iPhone Fold design based on rumors, and we printed it out to see how it compares to Apple's current iPhones. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more ...
apple fitness 2026 1

Apple Teases 'Something Big' Coming Soon to Apple Fitness+

Tuesday December 30, 2025 2:11 pm PST by
The Apple Fitness+ Instagram account today teased that the service has "big plans" for 2026. In a video, several Apple Fitness+ trainers are shown holding up newspapers with headlines related to Apple Fitness+. What's Apple Fitness+ Planning for the New Year? Something Big is Coming to Apple Fitness+ The Countdown Begins. Apple Fitness+ 2026 is Almost Here 2026 Plans Still Under ...
apple intelligence black

Report: Apple's AI Strategy Could Finally Pay Off in 2026

Tuesday December 30, 2025 9:01 am PST by
Apple's restrained artificial intelligence strategy may pay off in 2026 amid the arrival of a revamped Siri and concerns around the AI market "bubble" bursting, The Information argues. The speculative report notes that Apple has taken a restrained approach with AI innovations compared with peers such as OpenAI, Google, and Meta, which are investing hundreds of billions of dollars in data...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max Users Report Static Speaker Noise While Charging

Tuesday December 30, 2025 10:39 am PST by
iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max owners are having trouble with the speakers of their devices, and have complained about a static or hissing noise that occurs when the iPhone is charging. There are multiple discussions about the issue on Reddit, the MacRumors forums, and Apple's Support Community, where affected users say there is a noticeable static noise "like an old radio." Some people report...
airpods color prototypes

Apple Tested AirPods in Bright Colors

Saturday December 27, 2025 6:06 am PST by
Apple reportedly tested a version of the first-generation AirPods with bright, iPhone 5c-like colored charging cases. The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show first-generation AirPods prototypes with pink and yellow exterior casings. The interior of the charging case and the earbuds themselves remain white. They seem close to some...