When you upload a photo in the mobile versions of Photoroom (iOS and Android), you’ll see an option to Skip background removal. This appears while Photoroom is automatically removing the background.
Choosing Skip background removal imports your photo as a whole, placing the entire image on a single layer in your design. This works perfectly well for some designs, but not for others — it depends on what you intend to create.
In this article, we’ll explain when you should use Skip background removal and when it’s better to leave automatic removal on.
When should you ignore "Skip background removal"?
You should ignore "Skip background removal" if you want to:
Use a template with your design
Edit the background and foreground layers separately
Swap out the background while keeping the foreground
Add other layers, such as text and graphics, between the background and foreground layers.
When you ignore "Skip background removal", Photoroom removes the background and segments your image so that the foreground can go on a separate layer. You can then choose a template.
If you choose the Original background template, Photoroom adds the background from your photo to a background layer with the foreground on a separate layer.
If you choose a different template, Photoroom creates a design that has the foreground layer from your photo as well as the layers from the template.
When should you use "Skip background removal"?
Use Skip background removal if you only want to:
Edit the image as a single layer, for example, change the color of the entire image
Place other layers, such as text or graphics, on top of the entire image.
When you select Skip background removal, Photoroom cancels the background removal and segmentation process. Instead of removing the background, it will import your entire photo as a single image on a single layer, with an empty background layer. There is no segmentation to separate the foreground of your photo from the background.
Do not use Skip background removal if you want to edit the background and foreground separately, use templates, or place other layers between the foreground and background.
Can you restore the background after it has been removed?
Yes. If you let Photoroom remove the background, you can restore it by applying the Original background template. On mobile, this is only possible during the import process, before you open the design in the editor.
If you have already opened the design in the editor, the quickest way to recover the background is to reimport your photo as a new design.
Alternatively, you can edit your design and select the foreground layer. Then use the Edit cutout feature to Restore the background. However, this adds the background to the foreground layer, so they are not separated.