How to black out something in a picture on Android
You can black out part of a picture on Android without installing anything. Most phones can draw on a photo with the built-in editor, and a browser tool like Redacted gives you a solid black box, pixelation, and blur with the photo never leaving your device.
Option 1: the built-in photo editor
- Open the photo in Google Photos and tap Edit.
- Choose Markup and pick the pen.
- Draw over the detail until it is completely covered.
- Tap Save copy so the original stays untouched.
Samsung Gallery has a similar editor, including a mosaic (pixelate) tool in its decoration options. Two cautions apply to any markup pen: cover the text fully, since a thin pass can leave edge pixels readable, and keep your phone updated. A 2023 bug in the Pixel screenshot editor (known as acropalypse) left original image data inside edited files, one of several ways redacted images get unredacted.
Option 2: Redacted in Chrome (no APK needed)
- Open Redacted in Chrome, Samsung Internet, or any modern browser.
- Tap to choose a photo, or paste an image from your clipboard.
- Place a selection over the area you want to hide.
- Choose the black box mask (or pixelate or blur).
- Download the edited image.
There is no APK to sideload and no app to install. The box is rendered into the pixels of a new file, metadata such as GPS location is stripped from the export, and the photo is never uploaded.
Pixelate or blur a photo on Android
The same tool covers the softer styles. Drag a selection, then pick pixelate for the classic mosaic look or blur for a smooth fade, and adjust the strength. For faces, use a round selection or let the built-in face detection find every face for you.
What to black out before sharing
- Faces, names, and profile photos
- Addresses, phone numbers, and emails
- License plates, house numbers, and location clues
- Receipts, tickets, documents, and IDs
FAQ
Does this work in Chrome?
Yes. Redacted works in modern mobile browsers, including Chrome and Samsung Internet.
Do I need to download an APK?
No. Redacted is a web app. Open the site and start editing; there is nothing to install or sideload.
Do I need to upload the photo?
No. The edit happens in your browser, on your device.
Can I save the result back to my gallery?
Yes. Download the edited image and it lands in your downloads; open it and save or share it like any photo.
Is the Google Photos pen safe for hiding text?
Cover the area completely and check the result at full brightness. For sensitive text, a solid black box rendered into the image is the safer choice.