How to overlay images on iPhone
Learn how to overlay one image onto another on an iPhone
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
If you’ve been wondering how to overlay one image onto another directly on your iPhone, you’ll be glad to know that it’s now possible thanks to the iOS Shortcuts app.
iPhones are some of thebest phonesavailable, in large part due toApple’s powerfuloperating system. With the addition of Shortcuts in iOS 13, Apple devices allow users to set up quick commands that execute a more complex series of actions - including overlaying one image onto another.
Now, gone are the days you’ll need to rely on one of thebest photo editing appsto superimpose photos. Plus, with the addition of iOS 16’sLift Subject from Background feature,this shortcut provides an excellent way to make quick social media posts, memes, and edits.
There are a few steps you’ll need to take to set up the shortcut before you can overlay your photos, but once these are done you’re set up for whenever you next need the feature. Below is our step-by-step guide for how to download and use the shortcut.
Steps for how to overlay images on iPhone
Tools and requirements
Step-by-step guide
1. Open the Shortcuts app and add a new shortcut
Provided your phone is running iOS 13 or above, Shortcuts should come preinstalled on your iPhone and can be reinstalled from the App Store if you’ve deleted it.
Once you’ve opened the app,press the ‘+’ symbolin the top right corner to create a new shortcut
2. Turn on Show in Share Sheet
Click on the ‘i’ symbol in the toolbar. A settings page will pop up from where you can toggle the option toshow the shortcut in your Share Sheet.
This tells your iPhone where it is fetching image data from and provides you with quick access to the overlay tool.
Once selected, pressDone.
3. Select file formats
When you return to the new shortcut page, you’ll now see an action has been added to receive media from the Share Sheet.
Tap where it says ‘Any’/’Images and more’, and turn off every media formatexcept for Images and Media.
Once selected, pressDone.
4. Add two Select Photos actions
From the new shortcut page,select Add Actionor click directly on the search barat the bottom of the page.Type ‘Select Photos’and select the action.
Add another Select Photos action, following the above instructions.
5. Add the Overlay Image action
Once again, you’ll need toadd an action, but this time you should insteadtype ‘Overlay Image’into the search bar.
Select the corresponding action.
6. Select an image variable for the overlay
Tap the first ‘Images’variablein your overlay action, and from the menu chooseSelect Variable.
A blue bar should appear on the top of your screen that reads ‘Select a Magic Variable.’Tap on the first Photos labelafter your first Select Photos action.
Repeat this step for thesecond ‘Images’ variablein your overlay action, this timetapping on the second Photos labelafter your second Select Photos action.
7. Add the Save to Photo Album action
We’re nearly done - now, you simply need toclick into the search barone final time andsearch for ‘Save to Photo Album’before clicking the corresponding action.
8. Rename your shortcut
Tap the name of your shortcut andRename it- whatever you call it will appear in your Share Sheet, so it’s likely best to stick with ‘Overlay’ or ‘Superimpose’.
8. Head to photos to test it out
Open your Photos appand find your two photos.Tap on the Share Sheet button(the box with an arrow pointing up and out of it) and you will be prompted toselect your first photo. The first one you select will be the image going on top, and the second the bottom. Next,select your second photo.
If you want to overlay a selection of a photo, you’ll need to use the Lift Subject from Background feature bypressing and holding over the subject, tapping ‘Share’, and saving this as a separate image.
10. Reposition and size your overlay
You’ll next be taken to an image editor where you canresize and reposition your overlay. Once you’re done,press doneand the image will be saved to your Camera Roll.
Final thoughts
And there you have it - your easily overlaid images! While the shortcut setup is a little fiddly, especially if you’ve not used the Shortcuts app before, it’s pretty foolproof, and once done you can overlay images to your heart’s content.
It’s a little surprising that this feature is buried into the Shortcuts app rather than being an inbuilt function of the Share Sheet, especially as shortcuts do sometimes inexplicably malfunction, making for a much less smooth user experience than what Apple’s inbuilt operating system features provide. Still, it’s better to have it in some form than not at all.
If you still prefer using a computer to edit or are using one of thebest camerasinstead of your iPhone, why not check out our guide to thebest free photo editors for PC and Mac, or read up onhow to edit images in Google Photos?
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
Josephine Watson (@JosieWatson) is TechRadar’s Managing Editor - Lifestyle. Josephine is an award-winning journalist (PPA 30 under 30 2024), having previously written on a variety of topics, from pop culture to gaming and even the energy industry, joining TechRadar to support general site management. She is a smart home nerd, champion of TechRadar’s sustainability efforts as well and an advocate for internet safety and education. She has used her position to fight for progressive approaches towards diversity and inclusion, mental health, and neurodiversity in corporate settings. Generally, you’ll find her fiddling with her smart home setup, watching Disney movies, playing on her Switch, or rewatching the extended edition of Lord of the Rings… again.
A newly reported iPhone phenomenon could be bad news for both cops and robbers
The iPhone 18 series could include a variable aperture, ‘significantly enhancing’ the camera
Adobe’s decision to eliminate perpetual licensing for its Elements software has stirred controversy among consumers
