Photoshop v26.8 | Smarter Text Layouts, Enhanced Background Removal & New File Formats!

[Srishti Bali]

We’re excited to announce the release of Photoshop v26.8!
This update brings Dynamic Text Layouts, Enhanced Subject Selection & Background Removal, support for AVIF & JPEG XL, and more. Plus, performance improvements and bug fixes to keep your workflow smooth. Update today to take advantage of these new tools and streamline your creative process.

Update the App Download the latest version and dive into the new Adobe Photoshop features.

Adobe Photoshop 26.8

To update Photoshop 26.8, click "Update" in the Creative Cloud desktop app next to Photoshop. More detailed instructions for updating.

Here’s what’s new in Photoshop 26.8:

Dynamic Text Layouts Design with ease using Dynamic Text Blocks that automatically reflow text as you resize your text box. Perfect for creating flexible, responsive layouts without constant manual adjustments. Get started by using the Text Tool here.

Enhanced Subject Selection and Background Removal Now with cloud-powered processing, these tools deliver improved edge detection, especially around hair, fur, and fine details. Enable Cloud Processing in Preferences to get cleaner, faster selections with less effort. Learn how to improve your Select Subject and Background Removal process here.

View and Update AI Edit Settings Stay in control of your edits. Now, when you apply AI-powered tools like Denoise, Remove, or Lens Blur, an AI Edit Status icon will show up. If anything changes that might affect your results, the icon turns yellow so you'll know it's time to reapply or tweak your settings. It's an easy way to keep your edits looking their best with no guesswork needed. Learn more about the AI Status Icon here.

New File Support Expand your workflow with support for AVIF and JPEG XL (JXL) formats. Open, edit, and save images with wider color depths, native HDR support, and efficient lossy and lossless compression for high-quality, optimized files.

Download the latest update from the Creative Cloud Desktop app to try out these new features for yourself.

We’d love to hear from you!

Photoshop v26.8 gives you more control, sharper results, and modern format flexibility. Let us know what you think, and keep the feedback coming!

If this was helpful, please click the Upvote icon in the top left corner of this post. Your feedback helps us improve the experience. Thank you!

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[westdr1dw]

Has the removal tool been updated in the latest release?

Just tried using on an image and encountered the same issue in the previous release. Requires a few passes where only removes some of the selected areas.

Thanks

[Claire H.]

Hi @westdr1dw, Photoshop has improved Select Subject and Background Removal results with Cloud Processing. You can read more about it here: https://adobe.ly/4lcerxN.

Regarding the Removal Tool, check out this HelpX to learn how to use it and troubleshoot any issues you may have. If you feel like there's a feature missing, we would love to hear it in our Ideas section of the forum. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! ^CH

[Scott_BFAR]

I've noticed the same thing with the healing brush tool. It used to do a great job. I would b brush over whatever I want fixed and content aware would fix it. Often use it on edges of the photo, or photo damage. Now sometimes it doesn't really do anything and I have to use the clone brush. 

[mamaboy_6960]

Thanks for the heads-up. The removal tool hasn't been significantly updated in the latest release—still working on improving its precision.

[MDBranded]

The pink in the removal tool showing the selection is barely visible ... like I can hardly see what I have selected where the regular selection brush is still dark pink.  Is everyone else seeing this too?  Like I can't see what I am selecting at all.

[Jimmy.Byx]

The upgraded background removal tool is excellent, but it still doesn't fix the issue of not being able to paste shape attributes. I had no choice but to roll back to the previous version again — the experience is really frustrating.

[LEMONardo]

Finally, support for AVIF :party_popper:. But why is the 8-bit option missing?

[MDBranded]

I LOATHE the new update so far. It imported all of my settings but NOTHING acts right. Why did my text go from looking nice and smooth to absolute jagged garbage?  I thought maybe it was just the preview load but no... the exported text is all ragged. 

I use a Wacom tablet and I have always had it plugged in at the same time as a mouse.  They do not touch each other and I have never had a issue going between the two.  If they are both plugged in Photoshop LOSES ITS MIND.

Nothing will resize by the handles. 

Also when I use the rectangular marquee on Normal it just does random fixed sizes and acts all nuts. 

When I click to begin to use the Selection brush it makes all these INSANE marks all over the place before I even move my mouse.  I am glad I did at least try to unplug the tablet and check the mouse.  Everything seemingly worked normal.  Thing is I should NOT have to do that.  I have never had to do that before and this is something that desperately needs fixed.

The text is the WORST part though... whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy? Is there some new setting that says make my text look awful please?  Again, it isn't a memory GUI thing... it exports just as awful as it looks on the screen no matter the font.  This makes Photoshop totally unusable to me.  Please tell me there is an easy fix, but like I said.. it imported all my previous settings so no idea.

[fzmuhammad]

The upgraded background removal tool is a step in the right direction; it's performing much better than before, and I appreciate the improvements. However, it's disappointing that one major issue remains unaddressed: the inability to paste shape attributes. This limitation significantly disrupts my workflow, especially when working on complex designs where consistency and speed are key.

Unfortunately, because of this, I’ve had to roll back to the previous version yet again. It’s really frustrating to have to choose between a better background tool and essential functionality like attribute pasting. I hope this gets prioritized in an upcoming update, because otherwise, the overall experience continues to feel compromised despite the progress on other fronts.