Make & keep
Open a strip frame in a Photos editing extension on Mac
Hand one frame to an installed Photos extension, save its result back into the library, and retain a reversible source.
A specialised editor may offer a filter or adjustment that Photos does not. On Mac, compatible apps can appear as Photos editing extensions. The handoff is for one selected photo at a time, and the extension’s own save behaviour still matters.
Open the Extensions menu
Double-click a frame in Photos and click Edit. Click the Extensions button in the editing toolbar and choose an installed app. If the tool is missing, use Manage from that menu and enable the Photos Editing extension. You can also choose App Store from the menu to look for compatible apps; this is a workflow for an extension already installed, not a recommendation for a particular editor.
Evidence: Apple user guide
Save back to Photos
Make the adjustment in the extension’s window, save there, and close that window. Photos then shows the returned result; click Save Changes in Photos. You can continue with built-in Photos controls or another enabled extension before clicking Done. Give each step a moment of visual review: a retouch or filter that suits a single portrait may not suit neighbouring frames in a sequence.
Evidence: Apple user guide
Keep an original available
Use Revert to Original in Photos if you need to start over. An extension’s availability and output formats depend on that app. If the result is missing after saving, check the app’s save dialog and supported formats; not every editor writes a format Photos can use.
Evidence: Apple user guide
Sources & further reading
Sources for the specific facts and product descriptions above. Our worked examples, interpretations and practical suggestions are original editorial guidance.
- Apple Photos User Guide — Use other apps and editing toolsApple user guide