Photoshop Is Finally on Android
The app brings in a solid set of design features carried over from the desktop version.
Adobe Photoshop has been around so long, it’s become a verb. People say “Photoshop it” the same way they say “Google it.” That’s how baked-in it is to the way we talk about editing images. But for all that influence, Photoshop’s legacy never really extended to mobile.
That changed in February when Adobe launched a proper mobile version of Photoshop for iPhones. And now, Android users are finally getting their turn. The new app is in beta, free to use for now, and unlike previous attempts like Photoshop Express, Photoshop Mix, and Photoshop Fix , it’s actually close to the real thing.
The app brings in a solid set of tools carried over from the desktop version: selections, blending, layers, spot healing, cropping, and even Adobe's viral Firefly-powered features like Generative Fill and Generative Expand. These AI tools let you remove or add elements with a tap, or even expand a photo by typing what you want to see. And since they’re cloud-powered, they should perform just as well as they do on a desktop.
Henry Chikwem
But, as expected, not everything made the jump, and no one should expect that. There are no filters, cropping is limited to fixed aspect ratios, and Content-Aware Fill is marked “coming soon.” And, and yes, you’ll also need an Adobe login to use the app at all.
It’s a different design from the desktop version, but not unfamiliar. The UI is pared down, but it adapts. As you start editing, Tools appear based on what you’re doing—selecting a layer, editing a mask, cropping, or retouching. For anyone who’s new to it, the app also includes in-tool tutorials to walk you through each feature.
Still, it is a huge step up from what has dominated thr mobile editing landscape. Until now, Android editing has mostly been handled by apps like Snapseed, Pixlr, and Adobe's own Lightroom Mobile. They’ve been fine, good enough for most tasks. But this app raises the standard. Having real desktop-grade editing workflows and cloud-powered AI magic fit in your pocket is a big change.
It doesn’t mean the other apps would go irrelevant; they’re still better for people who want quick edits or find Photoshop’s interface too much. But Photoshop showing up on Android changes what people can expect from mobile editing.
That said, it will come at a cost. The free beta won’t last forever and eventually, this will be a paid product. Adobe hasn’t detailed pricing, but if it follows Lightroom’s model, some features may remain free, while power tools like generative AI will likely go behind a paywall, probably tied to a $20/month Creative Cloud plan.
So, is it worth trying? If you’re someone who edits photos regularly on your phone—whether casually or professionally—it probably is. For now, it’s free, and you’ll need Android 11 or later, at least 6GB of RAM (8GB is recommended), and about 600MB of free storage.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
