Adobe Photoshop’s 35th Anniversary and the Launch of Its Revolutionary Mobile App
A New Era for Mobile Creators
In 2025, Adobe celebrated a major milestone: the 35th birthday of its iconic photo-editing software, Photoshop. Alongside this celebration, Adobe finally introduced a long-awaited true Photoshop mobile app for iOS devices. This app is not just a downsized version of the desktop program or an incremental update to Photoshop Express. Instead, it represents a bold evolution of the software, tailored for the next generation of creators who prefer working on their mobile devices. The app is designed to bridge the gap between convenience and creativity, offering a fresh take on the tools that professionals and casual users alike have come to rely on.
The app is now available globally, with a free version offering basic features and a paid subscription model ($8/month or $70/year) that unlocks full functionality. It’s also included in Adobe’s existing plans, such as the Photography Plan and Creative Cloud All Apps. An Android version is expected later this year, ensuring cross-platform compatibility. While the app retains many familiar features from the desktop version, it introduces a streamlined interface reminiscent of Photoshop Elements, reflecting Adobe’s focus on accessibility and ease of use for mobile-first creators.
A Long-Awaited Addition to Adobe’s Mobile Lineup
Adobe has been experimenting with mobile Photoshop-branded apps for over 15 years, with mixed success. Apps like Photoshop Express and Photoshop Touch were launched but eventually phased out, leaving a gap in the market for a robust mobile solution. Meanwhile, other Adobe apps, such as Lightroom (launched in 2017) and Fresco (released in 2019), have gained popularity among specific niches—Lightroom for photographers and Fresco for digital painters. However, these apps don’t fully replicate the power and versatility of Photoshop, leaving many creators wanting more.
The new iOS app fills this void, offering a more comprehensive editing experience while staying true to the Photoshop ethos. It’s designed to sync seamlessly with other Adobe tools, allowing users to import photos from Lightroom or sketches from Fresco and edit them on the go. The app also integrates with Adobe’s Firefly AI models, enabling users to generate AI images or access free stock photos without leaving the app. For paid subscribers, advanced tools like the Magic Wand, Spot Healing, and AI-based features such as Generate Similar and Object Select are available, further enhancing the app’s capabilities.
A Redesigned Interface for Mobile Creators
While the new Photoshop app retains many of the features that desktop users know and love—such as layers, masking, and retouching tools—it has been completely reimagined for the mobile experience. The interface is intuitive and touch-friendly, with a focus on simplicity and ease of use. One of the standout features is the Tap Select tool, which uses AI to analyze an image and identify distinct objects, allowing users to tap and select multiple elements for editing. This tool is particularly useful for working on smaller screens, where traditional selection methods might be cumbersome.
The app’s design reflects Adobe’s shift toward catering to a younger, more mobile-inclined audience, such as Gen Z and Gen Alpha. According to research, these generations prefer using their phones for creative work, and the app’s streamlined interface is less intimidating than the feature-packed desktop version. However, this may also mean that professional users, who rely on the full suite of advanced tools, might find the app’s pared-down experience limiting. Adobe seems to acknowledge this, positioning the mobile app as a bridge to the web and desktop versions, where more complex tasks can be completed.
AI-Powered Tools and the Future of Photo Editing
The launch of the Photoshop mobile app coincides with a broader trend in the tech industry: the integration of AI into creative tools. Over the past few years, Adobe has embraced AI across its product lineup, from Premiere Pro’s video editing tools to Photoshop’s Generative Fill feature. The mobile app continues this trend, offering AI-driven features that simplify and enhance the editing process. For example, users can leverage AI to generate similar images, clean up objects, or even create new content from scratch using Firefly.
Smartphone manufacturers are also investing heavily in AI-powered photo editing tools. Apple, Samsung, and Google have introduced features like image playgrounds and cleanup tools directly into their devices. Additionally, third-party apps such as Canva and Photopea offer affordable alternatives to Adobe’s ecosystem, giving creators more options than ever before. While these tools may not match Photoshop’s full feature set, they are often sufficient for casual users, making the competition for Adobe’s mobile app fierce.
The Road Ahead for Adobe and Mobile Creators
The release of the Photoshop mobile app is a significant step forward for Adobe, addressing a long-standing need for a robust, mobile-first photo editing solution. While it may not replace the desktop version for professional users, it provides a convenient and accessible tool for on-the-go creativity. The app’s success will depend on its ability to attract both casual users and professionals, as well as its ability to compete with the growing number of AI-powered photo editing tools available on mobile devices.
As Adobe continues to evolve its products, the company is clearly betting on the next generation of creators to embrace its vision for a more mobile and AI-driven future. Whether the new Photoshop app resonates with this audience or becomes just another option in a crowded market remains to be seen. One thing is certain, however: the launch of the Photoshop mobile app marks a new chapter in the history of this iconic software, promising to bring the power of Photoshop to the palm of your hand.
