# Color Thief

> Transfers colors from one photo to another, creating new filters. (iPhone/iPad app by Yellow Cedar Software, Inc..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/color-thief/id580674843 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Yellow Cedar Software, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/580674846)
- Category: Photo & Video
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 4.40/5 from 30 App Store ratings · 104 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.2 · 2 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-12-12
- Data updated: 2026-08-29
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/color-thief/id580674843/reviews.md

## What is Color Thief?

Color Thief transfers colors from one photo to the next.
  -  Every one of your photos is a new filter.
  -  Playful and quick, it's easy to discover new color combinations.
  -  Harmonize a group of photos to have the same tone.  
  -  Results are saved at original resolution.

4.5 / 5 "Color Thief is an app with a singular purpose and it does that task very, very well.  ...  Highly recommended!" - Life in LoFi iPhoneography

5 / 5 "the results are truly astounding and appear with unusual speed." - iCommePhoto

"This little mobile photography gem is a one-trick pony, but the trick is an extremely clever one." - Ars Technica

"(Color Thief) is the Robin Hood of the photo world.  It takes great colors from one photo and gives those colors to other photos in need." - iOSAffairs

"One of the best color manipulating apps I have ever used, hands down! It is amazing!" - REGI on iPhoneArt

## Key features

- Transfer colors between photos
- Create custom filters from photos
- Discover new color combinations
- Harmonize photo tones
- Save results at original resolution

## Chart rankings

- #66 in Top Paid · Photo & Video (US App Store)

## What do users think of Color Thief?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 💡 Unique color-matching concept between two photos
- 👍 Simple and intuitive user interface
- 🎨 Produces creative and unexpected color combinations
- ⚡ Fast processing and quick results
- 💾 Saves images at full resolution
- 🎯 Specialized tool that does one thing very well
- 💰 No in-app purchases or subscription model
- 🔄 Easy to experiment with multiple photo combinations

**Cons**

- 🐛 Crashes on launch or during use
- ⚠️ Not updated in 5+ years
- 📱 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- 🖼️ Photo selection interface is cumbersome
- 📉 Image quality degradation/blurriness
- 🔍 Can only access limited photos from camera roll
- ⚙️ Limited control over effect strength/intensity
- 🔄 Removed useful features in recent updates
- 🔐 Previously required location services unnecessarily

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch with newer iOS versions
- Images turn black after a few minutes of use
- Cannot access camera roll photos properly
- Location services requirement blocking app access
- Incompatibility with iPad Pro and newer devices
- Photo access permission issues
- App not working after iOS updates
- Pixelation issues on larger displays

**Most requested features**

- Ability to adjust effect strength/intensity
- Access to photo folders for easier selection
- Swap/flip functionality between top and bottom images
- Video support
- Album organization for quick access to favorite photos
- LUT (Look-Up Table) generation capability
- Landscape orientation support for iPad
- Restore previous version interface with dual-image switching

## Recent user reviews (10 of 104)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/color-thief/id580674843/reviews.md

### 5/5 — A fav app to add unexpected color

*2024-12-20, version 2.3.2*

I love this app. Spin the dial and you will find such unexpected, yet beautiful color combinations. Color Thief can take a prosaic image and bring it to the wild side. I have used hundreds of filter apps. This has been one of my keepers and is part of my essential tool kit

### 1/5 — Definitely does nothing

*2024-11-15*

I paid on a recommendation but the app did no alterations. It has nothing in it.

### 5/5 — phenomenal

*2024-11-02, version 2.3.2*

well, phenomenal

### 2/5 — Previous Version 1.2 was soooo much better!

*2024-03-02, version 2.3.2*

Hadn't used this app for a while, but came back to it and realised it's not a patch on previous version. It used to be possible to switch back and forth between images at top and bottom, applying colour from either to either...shame coz it was an outstanding 5 star app.

Please update and revert to previous format, with ability to switch colours between both top and bottom… it was so incredibly useful! 🙏

### 1/5 — Waste of money

*2023-04-27, version 2.3.2*

No instructions, nothing. Doesn’t work much either. Tried a sepia photo and a colour one… the colour one stayed colour with orange streaks. Some kind of instructions would be helpful.

### 4/5 — It WAS wonderful!

*2023-03-09, version 2.3.2*

I have found no other app that does this color-matching.  However, PLEASE update it!  We are on iOS16 now and you have had no updates in 5 years!

### 5/5 — Miss this app

*2022-07-28, version 2.3.2*

Would love this app to be updated, I’m actually still using an iPhone so I feel it could be done for older iPhones at least. Best app I’ve ever used. So so much fun to mix and match two images. So quick and easy but infinite possibilities. Giving a 5 star review out of respect for how amazing it was

### 5/5 — One of my favorites

*2021-11-28, version 2.3.2*

Thank you to the developer for keeping this wonderful app updated. I live in fear that at the next Apple update it will be gone. Echoing other reviewers who also loved the app, I use it all the time. I like to design fabric patterns and it’s great for creating different colorways and coordinating new patterns but I also use it for fun, just to see what one of my drawings or photographs would look like in other color combos. I’m planning on making a handmade book based on the color blue, so you can imagine how handy this app will be to change an image to work with that theme. 

I hate to ask for more features on such an easy to use app but it would be great to be able to fetch from folders. I have to scroll through tons of images now. Also, I really miss an early feature, missing now, where you could tap and trade the "host" image with the other one - if that makes sense?

### 4/5 — The only thing missing

*2021-08-22, version 2.3.2*

The only thing missing is video and if they could do albums so I could find pics easier vs. going through all pics to find my fav ones faster:)

### 5/5 — I love it but...

*2020-10-23, version 2.3.2*

...it doesn’t work anymore!!  Needs updating, please?!

## Frequently asked questions about Color Thief

### What does Color Thief do?

Color Thief is a photo editing application that allows users to transfer the color palette from one photograph to another. It essentially uses one image as a source for colors to apply to a different image, creating unique visual effects and harmonizing tones.

### How does the color transfer feature work?

The app analyzes the colors present in a source photo and applies them to a target photo. This process creates a new version of the target photo that adopts the color scheme of the source image, acting like a custom filter.

### Is Color Thief free to use?

Based on the provided information, this application is a paid app. There is no mention of in-app purchases or advertisements, indicating a one-time purchase model.

### Can I harmonize the tone of multiple photos?

Yes, the app is designed to help you harmonize a group of photos to have the same tone. By using a chosen photo as a color source, you can apply its color palette to other images, ensuring a consistent look across your collection.

### What are the benefits of using Color Thief?

Users can discover new and interesting color combinations, create unique filters from their own photos, and achieve a consistent color tone across multiple images. The app is praised for its speed and the quality of its results, which are saved at the original resolution.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.3.2 — 2017-11-09

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Bug fixes.

### 2.3.1 — 2017-11-04

Fixes crash on launch that was affecting some users.

### 2.3 — 2017-11-03

Fixes crash on launch that was affecting some users.

### 2.2 — 2017-10-02

Greatly improved support for iCloud Photo Libraries.

### 2.1 — 2017-07-31

Bug fixes.

## Apps similar to Color Thief

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Colorize & Restore Photos](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/colorize-and-restore-photos/id6747640144) | — | Free | Photo & Video |
| [CaptureNoire Photo Editor](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/capturenoire-photo-editor/id6739007480) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Photo & Video |
| [Photo Color Changer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photo-color-changer/id1573553988) | — | $1.99 | Photo & Video |
| [Joconde AI - picture clearer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/joconde-ai-picture-clearer/id6736889858) | 3.0 (2) | Free | Photo & Video |
| [Photo Color Effects Editor](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photo-color-effects-editor/id1308895764) | 4.4 (16) | Free | Photo & Video |
| [Colorize Photos - Scan Restore](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/colorize-photos-scan-restore/id1664237123) | 4.6 (109) | Free | Photo & Video |

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*