What Generative Fill Does in a Mobile Photo Editor
Generative fill is an AI tool that removes unwanted objects from your photos and intelligently fills the gap left behind using trained neural networks. Cleanr by MRVL includes this feature in its AI Pro tier, letting you brush over any unwanted element and watch the app reconstruct the background automatically.
How Generative Fill Works
Generative fill works by analysing the pixels surrounding a selected area, then using machine learning to predict what should fill that space naturally. You brush over the object you want to remove, tap fill, and the system reconstructs the background. It's more flexible than traditional object removal because it learns from the entire image context, not just pattern matching. The result depends on image complexity. A simple blue sky is easier to fill than a busy crowd scene. In Cleanr, the generative fill tool is available as part of the AI Pro subscription, which also unlocks HSL colour adjustments, tone curves, selective adjusting with brush masks, and face retouching.
Generative Fill vs. Object Removal
Cleanr includes two separate tools for clearing unwanted elements. Object removal uses PatchMatch content-aware technology, which is fast and works well for smaller objects like blemishes or small distractions. Generative fill is more powerful for larger objects or complex scenes because it uses AI prediction rather than pixel sampling alone. If you're removing a person from a crowd or an entire section of background, generative fill typically produces more convincing results. Object removal is available on the free plan with a daily limit, while generative fill requires the AI Pro tier.
When to Use Generative Fill
Use generative fill when you need to remove something substantial from your photo. Common uses include erasing photobombers, removing power lines from landscapes, deleting unwanted people from group shots, or clearing clutter from product photos. It's particularly useful for small business owners preparing product images for Shopify or Instagram, or creators who want polished shots without reshooting. The tool works best on areas where the background is relatively consistent. Highly textured or patterned backgrounds are more challenging, but the results improve with each update to the underlying model.
Generative Fill in Cleanr's Broader Feature Set
Generative fill is one of 22 tools in Cleanr. The app includes free basics like auto-enhance, smart crop, and portrait blur, plus multiple removal and replacement options. Background removal with 15 presets, sky replacement with 6 curated options (Blue Day, Golden Hour, Sunset, Dusk, Overcast, Stormy), and colour restoration round out the editing toolkit. Most features work on the free tier with daily limits. The AI Pro tier (£12.99/month or £99.99/year) unlocks generative fill, HSL colour adjustments, tone curves, selective adjusting, and face retouching. For batch processing, the Plus tier (£3.99/month or £29.99/year) supports up to 10 photos at once, while Pro increases that to 50.
Accessing Generative Fill in Cleanr
Download Cleanr from the App Store or Google Play. Open a photo, tap the edit menu, and look for the generative fill brush tool under AI Pro features. Brush over the object you want to remove, then confirm. The app processes the request and displays the result in real-time. As of June 2026, Cleanr is actively maintained with regular performance improvements. If you're only curious about removing small blemishes or unwanted objects, the free plan's object removal tool covers most everyday needs. Upgrade to AI Pro only if you regularly work with larger objects or complex background removal.
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Frequently asked questions
Is generative fill the same as background removal?
No. Background removal erases the entire background and replaces it with a solid colour, blur, or pattern. Generative fill removes a specific object and intelligently reconstructs the background in its place. They serve different purposes, though both are in Cleanr.
Does Cleanr's generative fill work offline?
Generative fill requires an internet connection for processing. The app sends your selection to Cleanr's servers, processes the fill, and returns the result. This ensures quality output but does require connectivity.
Can I use generative fill on the free version of Cleanr?
No. Generative fill is exclusive to the AI Pro tier (£12.99/month or £99.99/year). The free plan includes object removal with a 3-per-day limit, which works for smaller unwanted elements.
How many times can I use generative fill per day?
With AI Pro, there are no daily limits. You can use generative fill as many times as you need in a single day.
What other removal tools does Cleanr offer?
Cleanr includes object removal (PatchMatch content-aware), auto blemish removal via face detection, background removal with 15 presets, and sky replacement with 6 curated presets. Generative fill complements these options for more complex or larger areas.