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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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The verdict on

Photo Editor-

40
User verdict / 100 High confidence Divided

The Photo Editor app, despite a history of high satisfaction, has seen a significant decline in recent user experience due to a major update that introduced AI features, removed beloved classic tools, and caused widespread technical issues.

4.6★ lifetime (297,655) Free + in-app purchases since 2012 by Axiem Systems updated 0.2 mo ago recent negative 50% 120 reviews across 4 regions
Update Issues Crashes & Bugs Photo Loading/Editing Failure AI Integration Feature Removal/Changes Monetization/Ads
5★330
4★79
3★62
2★77
1★402
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.6★ lifetime average

Recent reviews for Photo Editor by Axiem Systems indicate a sharp negative turn following a major update, despite its historically high lifetime rating. Users report numerous issues including app crashes, inability to load or edit photos, and dissatisfaction with the new AI features and removal of classic tools.

What users like

  • Some users still find the app easy to use and effective for basic photo editing, appreciating its free version and new AI options.R1R4R5R7
  • The new AI features are appreciated by some users for offering new editing capabilities and keeping the app updated for older devices.R13R55R86R87
  • Customer service has reportedly informed users how to switch between Classic and Pro Editor versions.R103

What users complain about

  • The app frequently crashes, freezes, or shuts down unexpectedly, leading to lost work.R6R41R47R188
  • Many users cannot load photos from their library or iCloud, making the app unusable.R11R22R25R39
  • The recent update removed many popular and essential editing tools and features that users relied on.R10R15R28R31
  • The new interface is confusing, difficult to navigate, and less user-friendly than previous versions.R36R45R53R101
  • Paid features, including AI editing, often do not work or are inaccessible even after purchase.R2R3R12
  • Users are frustrated by excessive ads and constant prompts to upgrade to a paid version, even for basic functions.R23R24R29R40
  • The AI features are often described as poor quality, difficult to use, or intrusive.R15R20R40R45
  • Some users report issues with text editing, such as disappearing text windows or limited font options.R69R112R284
  • The app sometimes requires full photo access and may delete photo folders or fail to save images to the album.R19R335R514

Latest update · v7.2.1

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

Multiple updates on top of our major 7.0 release: • New AI Tools completely free to use! • Amazing new Stickers and Overlays for our Pro Editor! • Fix for images not loading from iCloud. • Other fixes and improvements.

Recurring themes

Update Issues negative
The most prominent theme is widespread dissatisfaction with the recent update, which users feel has ruined the app. Many long-time users express frustration over changes, the removal of beloved features, and new technical problems.R6R10R15R21
Crashes & Bugs negative
A significant number of users report frequent app crashes, freezing, and unexpected shutdowns, often leading to lost work. This issue is prevalent across various devices and has been ongoing for months. The developer's notes mention 'other fixes and improvements' but recent reviews contradict a fix for crashes.R6R41R47R188
Photo Loading/Editing Failure negative
Many users are unable to load photos from their camera roll or iCloud, or cannot proceed past the photo selection screen, rendering the app completely unusable. This directly contradicts the developer's claim of a 'Fix for images not loading from iCloud'.R11R22R25R39
AI Integration mixed
The new AI tools are a point of contention. While some users appreciate the new options and find them fun, a larger group finds them intrusive, of poor quality, or feel they are being forced to use them at the expense of classic features. The developer's notes highlight 'New AI Tools completely free to use!' but many users report issues with AI features even after paying.R12R13R15R20
Feature Removal/Changes negative
Many long-time users are upset that their favorite and frequently used editing tools, such as blur, blemish removal, and specific filters, have been removed or are now hard to find after the update.R10R15R28R31
Monetization/Ads negative
Users are increasingly annoyed by aggressive monetization tactics, including frequent ads, constant prompts to upgrade to 'Pro' versions, and some paid features not working even after purchase.R2R3R12R23

Who it's for

This app might still be for users who are new to photo editing and find the basic free features or the new AI tools appealing, especially if they are not reliant on specific classic tools or advanced functionality R7R55. It is NOT for long-time users who valued the app's previous simplicity and specific editing tools, or for anyone seeking a stable, ad-free experience without crashes or issues loading photos R6R10R21.

Evidence note: The recent reviews skew heavily negative, which contrasts sharply with the high lifetime rating. The verdict and score reflect this recent negative trajectory while acknowledging the app's past positive reputation. Evidence for specific feature removals is strong due to recurring complaints.

Frequently asked

Does Photo Editor by Axiem Systems still offer classic editing tools?
Many users report that the recent update removed or made it difficult to find classic editing tools like blur and blemish features, which were previously popular R10R15R52. However, customer service has indicated that users can switch between 'Classic' and 'Pro' editors in the settings menu R103.
Are the new AI tools free to use?
While the developer notes state 'New AI Tools completely free to use!', some users report issues accessing AI features even after paying for the app, or encountering 'billing hard limit' messages R12. Other users find the AI tools intrusive or of poor quality R15R20R40.
Does the app have issues loading photos from iCloud?
Despite developer notes claiming a 'Fix for images not loading from iCloud', numerous recent reviews indicate that users are still unable to load photos from iCloud or their camera roll, making the app unusable for many R11R25R123R501.
Is the app stable or does it crash frequently?
Many recent reviews indicate that the app frequently crashes, freezes, or shuts down unexpectedly, often leading to lost work and frustration R6R41R47R188.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] 5/5 · US Does it all: Great photo editing!
  2. [R4] 5/5 · US Photo Editor: Can’t love this enough!
  3. [R5] 5/5 · US Editing: Great 😌
  4. [R7] 5/5 · US Photo Editor.: Very easy to work with with great results. It’s so much fun, love it! Beats other apps that cost too much!
  5. [R13] 5/5 · US Photo editing: Easy to use and has AI feature
  6. [R55] 5/5 · US Fun to use! 😀: Thank you for the update and keeping it for older devices! I wasn’t really using it until they updated it recently with the new AI. Love the options that you have with AI. Still has the old editor as well. This app is fun again!
  7. [R86] 5/5 · US Awesome 👏🏼🤗: Finally a new update! Few changes are made but the major change was the addition of the AI feature! 🕺it’s good they added the tip video of how to use the recent update. I was confused at first but the tips helped to get the hang of it. Definitely worth getting it. ⭐️
  8. [R87] 5/5 · US Easy to use!: Recently updated the app and a very wonderful update. I was kinda upset they hadn’t updated this app for a long time but glad they did!! Good they decided to incoperate the AI to this app! I can now edit all my photos in one place without going to different apps. Thank you developers!!
  9. [R103] 5/5 · US Good customer service: I express how the old photo editor app with blemish and blur features was MUCH BETTER than this new one. I received an email letting me know I “can switch between the Classic and Pro Editor in the Settings menu." Thankful for this info.
  10. [R6] 1/5 · US Long time user, but no longer: New version/update crashes on a regular basis - and has been doing so for MONTHS without a fix.
  11. [R41] 2/5 · US Awful update!: This update is terrible! Now the app crashes everytime I open it and if it doesn’t crash, then it freezes. Please fix it
  12. [R47] 2/5 · US Closes without warning: If you work too close to the edge, the program VERY frequently closes, instantly without warning and does not save your work. Incredibly annoying.
  13. [R188] 3/5 · US Shuts down WAY too much!: I have to save after each edit on one pic or the app will shut down and I have to start all over. Very frustrating!
  14. [R11] 1/5 · US Won’t open: Won’t open photos or take them from iCloud
  15. [R22] 1/5 · US Sucks: Won’t even download photos
  16. [R25] 2/5 · US New update not working: Loved this app and used it effortlessly for years. Ever since this new update, my photos will not upload from the iCloud and the app is completely unusable. Very frustrating!
  17. [R39] 1/5 · US Recommend another app: I used this for years. Whatever they’ve updated, it’s ruined the app. I’ve been trying to upload a photo for half an hour. Recommend another editing app.
  18. [R10] 1/5 · US Awful: New update took away all the tools I liked to use for years. Sad to see this app go
  19. [R15] 1/5 · US Better before AI update: This was better without the AI update. Now that the update came, they’ve taken away many features from before and it’s hard to find the features that stayed. AI is also slop.
  20. [R28] 1/5 · US The update is terrible: This sucks - the filters that are my whole aesthetic - just gone - I’d pay - but not for this version-
  21. [R31] 2/5 · US UPDATED SUCKS: June 2026 Update Removed the Basic 5 Filters I would routinely use. Hi-Def & Nighttime being the most common.. UPDATE IS TRASH.. NOW THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR WHAT I WAS ALREADY GETTING FOR FREE !!! 🤡🤬 CLOWNS
  22. [R36] 1/5 · US Nah: Hate the new update. So much harder to edit now.
  23. [R45] 1/5 · US Hate the update: Impossible to use now. Used to love it because it was so simple. AI actually makes it more complicated. Will be deleting the app unfortunately and finding another.
  24. [R53] 1/5 · US Control: Loading… good. Cropping… good. Color selection… poor. Merging layers… poor. As a matter fact, exiting one feature for another is impossible, exiting a feature is impossible without canceling the previous modifications. Poor or cryptic controls. More frustrating than helpful. Not recommended… at all.
  25. [R101] 3/5 · US Bring back the old app: Before the update, this app was awesome. Now it’s hard to navigate, not user friendly and complicated. Bring back the old app.
  26. [R2] 1/5 · US Sucks: Since I paid for the app. It never works. Always says it’s “temporarily unavailable “
  27. [R3] 1/5 · US Doesn’t work even after paying: App doesn’t work
  28. [R12] 1/5 · US Billing Hard Limit: I paid for the AI edit ($3.99/mo) but have not been able to use it at all because I keep getting a “billing hard limit has been reached.” I have selected to restore my purchase multiple times and have uninstalled /reinstalled 2 times, still does not work.
  29. [R23] 1/5 · US No longer user friendly without upgrades: I can barely edit 2 photos before I have to upgrade or get more storage (which I don’t need), too many ads! This app has changed for the worse!!
  30. [R24] 3/5 · US Was a great application now just ok: This was a great application till they started harrassing me with adds for the AI version.
  31. [R29] 2/5 · US Downgrade: I used to LOVE love love this app, but sometime in 2026 they did an update to include AI features, and the app is now spammy, glitchy and full of ads. Very disappointing.
  32. [R40] 1/5 · US Updated to AI &can’t use anymore: This use to be my favorite app. Now they have upgraded to AI and try to force you to use their AI options and subscribe. I’ll be deleting this app.
  33. [R20] 1/5 · US Bad AI: Terrible job
  34. [R69] 5/5 · US What happened to the text window above keyboard?: Since last update text review window above keyboard has disappeared? Can’t find a fix..NOT GOOD!
  35. [R112] 5/5 · US Update sucks: Fix the text editor, put it back to the way it was, you can’t even type in the damn box after update.
  36. [R284] 3/5 · GB Horrible fonts: Limited, awful fonts, most of them without the capacity for lower case. A step backwards from earlier versions.
  37. [R19] 1/5 · US RIP OFF WARNING: Just wants your data. Won’t let you use it unless you grant full access to all photos.
  38. [R335] 3/5 · GB Used to be a great pro workhorse…: …Unfortunately, since switching up to IOS 17, this refuses to save the resulting images to the photo album on my iPad Pro anymore. when I press ‘DONE’, I go back to my photo album and see grey squares where good results used to be. Taking screenshots of the results won’t do.
  39. [R514] 3/5 · CA Photos folders gone: 5 or 6 of my photo folders are gone with the newest update Please fix Restoring purchases does nothing
  40. [R21] 1/5 · US Updated and now useless: This had been my fav app for editing photos for years. Then there was the latest update and it does nothing. Completely worthless now.
  41. [R52] 5/5 · US Do not like the updated version: The very feature I used the most was being able to blur out individual imperfections, now that feature doesn’t exist when the app was updated. Have to find another app now.
  42. [R123] 3/5 · US No longer works: There was an update 2 days ago, and the app no longer works. It’s disappointing because it has been my favorite photo editor for years. Specifically, the app will not upload new photos or even allow me to exit the upload photo prompt.
  43. [R501] 3/5 · CA Broken: Doesn’t work anymore since update. Can’t access photos from phone only gives some iCloud message. Too bad. Was good.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store