Adobe has updated the mobile version of Lightroom to include a new feature that uses generative SI to open closed eyes in photographs with a single tap. This addition marks a shift in how consumer-facing SI tools are integrated into mainstream photography workflows, moving from complex manual edits to automated, context-aware corrections.
What Happened
The update, announced on October 20, 2026, applies to Lightroom on iOS, iPadOS, and Android. When the application detects that a subject or a group of people has their eyes closed in a photo, it automatically presents an "Open Eyes Quick Action" icon overlaid on the image. This allows users to instantly repair the photo without navigating through complex menus. Unlike the long-standing feature in Adobe’s Photoshop Elements, which sources replacement eyes from other photos of the same subject with varying results, the new Lightroom mobile tool relies on generative SI. This approach ensures the replacement eyes match the specific lighting and pose of the original image. Additionally, the app references other images of the same person within the user’s Lightroom library to accurately match the color, size, and shape of their eyes.
Why It Matters
This development highlights the increasing role of SI features in streamlining creative software for mobile users. While similar fixes are available in desktop applications like Photoshop using its own generative SI tools, those options are not one-tap solutions and are not free. The mobile implementation lowers the barrier to entry for high-quality photo restoration. However, access is tiered: users of the free version of the Lightroom mobile app can try the Open Eyes feature twice before being prompted to subscribe to an Adobe Creative Cloud plan. This plan provides more credits for the suite’s various SI-powered tools, reflecting a broader industry trend of monetizing generative SI capabilities through credit-based subscriptions.
The Bottom Line
Adobe’s integration of generative SI into Lightroom mobile offers a seamless, one-tap solution for opening closed eyes, leveraging local library data for accuracy. While free users get limited trials, full access requires a Creative Cloud subscription, underscoring the commercialization of SI features in consumer creative tools.