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Instagram filters are a quick way to make your photos look better by adding color, brightness, or a cool style. But sometimes, you might want to remove a filter—maybe to get back to the original photo, make new edits, or keep things looking more natural.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to remove filters from Instagram photos, what’s possible, and if online tools like IG filter removers really work.
How to Remove Instagram Filters from Photos and Reels (Even After Posting)
Can You Remove Instagram Filters? Yes—But With Limits!
Once a filter is applied and a photo or video is posted to Instagram, the app does not allow you to undo or remove the filter directly. This is because Instagram saves the edited version as a new image file.
However, if you have access to the original, unfiltered image, you can still restore or re-edit your photo using various editing tools or AI filter removal apps.
How to Remove Filters from Your Instagram Posts?
1. Find or Restore the Original Image
Before editing, check if your phone or cloud storage has the original, unedited version of the image or video. Instagram does not store the original after posting.
- iOS: Look in your Photos app > Albums > Recently Edited or All Photos.
- Android: Check your Google Photos or file manager.
2. Use an Editing App or AI Tool
Open the original image in a reliable editing app to reduce or reverse filter effects.
In this case, we are using YouCam Perfect to remove the instagram filter.
Other recommended tools:
- Photoshop Express – Adjust contrast, warmth, saturation, and color balance.
- Snapseed – Use the “Tune Image” and “Details” tools to neutralize filter effects.
- Creative Fabrica’s AI Remover – Designed to reverse subtle or “invisible” Instagram filters automatically.
📌Pro Tip: Look for AI tools that use machine learning to detect enhancements and restore natural image tones.
3. Manually Adjust Filter Effects
If you want to make more manual edits to further restore your photo, you can manually adjust:
1. Lower the Saturation
Filters often boost colors to make them pop. Start by reducing saturation to bring colors back to a more natural level.
Look for a “Saturation” or “Color” slider in your editing app. Slowly decrease it until skin tones and backgrounds look more realistic.
2. Adjust the Brightness
Some filters brighten images too much or create unnatural highlight
Use the “Brightness” tool to reduce overexposed areas.
Or, slightly increase it if the filter made the image too dark.
3. Reduce or Balance Contrast
Filters often increase contrast to add drama, but it can make the image look harsh.
Lower the contrast to soften shadows and recover lost details.
Find a balance that brings out texture without making it too flat.
4. Correct the Temperature
Many Instagram filters add warmth (orange/yellow tones) or coolness (blue tones).
Use the “Temperature” or “White Balance” tool to neutralize the image.
Slide toward blue if it’s too warm, or toward yellow if it’s too cold.
5. Use “Auto” or “Neutral” Presets (Optional)
Apps like YouCam Perfect offer automatic or neutral color presets that help reset a photo's tone.
4. Save and Re-Post If Needed
Once you're happy with the edit:
- Save the restored image.
- You can now repost it to Instagram without a filter—or apply a different one with lighter settings.
Removing Filters from Instagram Reels or Stories
For Reels and Stories, filters are often applied using AR effects. Once posted, these cannot be removed from the video unless you have the original clip.
If you still have the unfiltered video:
- Use editing apps like YouCam Video or CapCut to re-edit it.
- AI video enhancers are still developing and less reliable for full filter removal compared to image tools.
Is There an Instagram Filter Remover Online?
Yes—but with important limitations. While you can’t technically "remove" a filter from an image once it's been posted on Instagram, some online tools can help reduce the appearance of filters or restore a more natural look—provided you have access to the original photo.
One of the most popular options is the YouCam Online Editor. It offers an AI-powered filter removal tool that can analyze an image and automatically adjust it to reduce filter effects.
This tool is especially useful for reversing subtle edits like enhanced contrast, unnatural colors, or lighting changes.
In short, while there's no perfect solution, tools like YouCam Online Editor offer one of the most user-friendly and trustworthy options available online for minimizing or reversing filter effects.
[Bonus] This Online Tool also comes with a "AI Color Correction" feature, which can easily tune your filtered photo back to an orginal state.
Key Takeaways
Lastly we've come up with several key takeaways for you.
- You can’t remove a filter directly in Instagram after posting—you must use the original photo.
- Photo editing and AI apps like Photoshop Express, Snapseed, and YouCam Perfect offer the best chances of restoring a natural look.
- Video filters in Reels or Stories are harder to undo, and require having the unfiltered video file.
- Be cautious of fake “Instagram filter remover” sites—they often pose security risks.
