# SkyLab Photo Editor — The Best Sky Replacement App

> Innovative app for replacing and enhancing skies in photographs. (iPhone/iPad app by James Grote.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skylab-photo-editor/id1084234960 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [James Grote](https://appshunter.io/developer/338517204)
- Category: Photo & Video, Entertainment
- Price: $4.99
- Rating: 3.50/5 from 32 App Store ratings · 145 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.6 · 209 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2016-05-12
- Data updated: 2026-08-31
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skylab-photo-editor/id1084234960/reviews.md

## What is SkyLab Photo Editor?

SkyLab is the one and only sky-replacement app. Imagine dropping stunning skies on your photos with this innovative new app.

FEATURES
- Drop beautiful skies on your photos
- Huge collection of skies
- Add clouds, trees, and birds too
- iCloud support: Save projects across all of your devices

This app is driven by my own love of beautiful skies and fascinating cloud formations. My goal is to capture those moments when you stop in your tracks and just stare at a gorgeous sunset, beautiful blue sky, or epic storm. Create these moments right on your iPhone with powerful yet simple editing tools.

SkyLab comes with a huge collection of curated skies from sunny, cloudy, stormy, and night shots. 
Want to add some clouds to your sky? SkyLab also includes Elements to add to your photos, such as clouds, trees, and the moon.

Create beautiful skies with SkyLab.

## Key features

- Sky replacement
- Huge sky collection
- Add clouds, trees, birds
- iCloud support
- Simple editing tools

## What do users think of SkyLab Photo Editor?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🎨 Beautiful and realistic sky options
- 👍 User-friendly interface and easy to use
- ⚡ Quick and efficient sky replacement
- 🎭 Great variety of effects and filters
- 💰 No subscription required, one-time purchase
- 🌅 Excellent for landscape and real estate photography
- 🔄 Regular updates and developer support
- ✨ High-quality blending and visual results when working correctly

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and app instability
- 🔧 Masking tool not functioning properly
- 📐 Sky layers cover entire image instead of just background
- ❌ Poor performance with complex horizons and objects
- ⚠️ Crashes when saving or completing edits
- 🖼️ Limited to flat horizon photos
- 😞 Unrealistic results in many scenarios
- ⏱️ Slow performance and freezing issues
- 🚫 Cannot use custom sky images
- 🎯 Auto-mask feature inadequate and unreliable

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes when opening photos
- App crashes when clicking mask tool
- App crashes when saving or pressing Done
- Masking tool does not apply changes
- Auto-mask feature fails to detect objects properly
- Manual mask adjustments cause entire image to be covered
- Freezing when zooming during masking
- Crashes on iOS 15.6.1 and other iOS versions
- App becomes unresponsive during editing
- Endless loop when adding photos
- Photo selection not working properly
- Intermittent scrolling issues
- Tutorial mode cannot be exited
- Edit tool shows original photo instead of preview
- Crashes on iPad but not iPhone
- Performance degradation on older devices

**Most requested features**

- Fix and improve masking tool functionality
- Add ability to use custom/personal sky images
- Implement sky rotation capability
- Add more blending modes (multiply, overlay, luminosity)
- Include feathering option for better edge blending
- Add undo/redo functionality
- Support for landscape mode on iPhone
- Ability to rotate skies to match horizon angles
- More comprehensive tutorials for advanced features
- Add more diverse sky options
- Intelligent edge detection for complex skylines
- Out of focus adjustment slider
- Support for video editing
- Ability to add other landscape elements (mountains, seas)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 145)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skylab-photo-editor/id1084234960/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Closes

*2025-09-06*

Doesn’t stay open. As soon as you open a photo it just closes.

### 2/5 — Potential

*2025-08-30*

This app has the potential to be OUTSTANDING. Unfortunately, as it is, it falls short. App has me stuck in an endless loop trying to add a photo. When I finally add it, the edits bring up the photo I had worked previously. Go back to the drawing board.

### 2/5 — HOW MANY TIMEE TO PEOPLW HAVE TO ASK????

*2024-03-01*

You guys still have a problem with the masking tool! And just like one previous review one here from about a year ago, the skies cover the entire photo you can’t even fix them to put them behind buildings or anything. It just covers everything. Please fix this.

### 2/5 — Mask tool STILL isn’t working.

*2023-08-28*

Mask tool still isn’t working on Skylab.  IPAD with up to date IOS.  Also wish you had more skies.

### 4/5 — Mask isn’t working

*2023-05-09*

Would you fix the app please, so the mask feature can be applied. Automask feature is working though, but if you’ll edit the mask it won’t apply anymore.
Your apps are great! Please keep them up and running.

### 5/5 — Awesome 👏

*2023-04-03*

I love the cityscapes 🌆 makes my digital art wonderful. I will Tag you with my latest piece on Instagram.

### 1/5 — ?

*2023-01-24*

Вы зачем загубили программу..?

### 1/5 — Another boring app

*2023-01-14*

No video ending 🥱 only photo 😴

### 2/5 — Absturz

*2023-01-07*

Stürzt unter IOS 15.6.1 ab. Ein Patch wird erbeten.

### 1/5 — Horrible app

*2022-11-16*

Stay away. Auto mask did a horrible job. Nothing compared to the newer AI apps out there. Such a wast for my hard earned money

## Frequently asked questions about SkyLab Photo Editor

### What does SkyLab Photo Editor do?

SkyLab is an innovative app designed specifically for replacing the sky in your photos. It allows you to drop stunning, curated skies onto your existing images, transforming their mood and aesthetic.

### What are the key features of SkyLab?

Key features include a vast collection of beautiful skies to choose from, the ability to add elements like clouds, trees, and birds, and iCloud support for saving projects across all your devices. It also offers powerful yet simple editing tools.

### How much does SkyLab Photo Editor cost?

Based on the provided information, SkyLab Photo Editor is a paid application. It does not have in-app purchases or advertisements, suggesting a one-time purchase model.

### What kind of photos can I edit with SkyLab?

You can use SkyLab to edit any photo where you wish to change the sky. This includes photos with sunsets, blue skies, stormy weather, or night scenes. The app is designed to help you recreate those breathtaking sky moments.

### Is SkyLab compatible with my devices?

The description mentions iCloud support, which implies compatibility with Apple devices (iPhone, iPad). While specific OS version requirements are not detailed, it is designed for mobile use.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.5 — 2025-08-25

Minor bug fixes

### 4.4 — 2021-06-10

Automatic sky detection added. Simply load a photo and add a new sky!

The original sky replacement app!

### 4.3 — 2021-05-07

* Fix for some users where sky would disappear after editing mask.

New mask brush optimized for fine details such as trees.
Complete re-write of the Mask Tool providing greater stability plus new features.
Includes a peek at my new app, Infinite Skies! (Look for the blue icon in the clouds :)

### 4.2 — 2021-04-17

New mask brush optimized for fine details such as trees.

Complete re-write of the Mask Tool providing greater stability plus new features.
- mask feather brush
- morphology functions: erode and dilate
- sharpen and soften
- import/export sky mask. Make a high-res mask in another app and import for a perfect sky blend.
Includes a peek at my new app, Infinite Skies! (Look for the blue icon in the clouds :)

### 4.1 — 2021-04-10

Complete re-write of the Mask Tool providing greater stability plus new features.
- mask feather brush
- morphology functions: erode and dilate
- sharpen and soften
- import/export sky mask. Make a high-res mask in another app and import for a perfect sky blend.

Includes a peek at my new app, Infinite Skies! (Look for the blue icon in the clouds :)

## Apps similar to SkyLab Photo Editor

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Inkwork](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/inkwork/id1324779582) | 4.8 (3,195) | Free | Photo & Video |
| [Dramatic Black & White](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dramatic-black-and-white/id457075492) | 4.8 (345) | $2.99 | Photo & Video |
| [iColorama](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/icolorama/id490528854) | 4.5 (256) | Free | Photo & Video |
| [Distressed FX : Photo Editor](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/distressed-fx-photo-editor/id585702631) | 4.8 (5,259) | Free | Photo & Video |
| [Distressed FX : Plus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/distressed-fx-plus/id1441905750) | 4.8 (1,234) | $19.99 | Photo & Video |
| [AI Sky Replacement Sky Changer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ai-sky-replacement-sky-changer/id6477859497) | 3.5 (4) | Free | Photo & Video |

## More apps by James Grote

- [LensFlare Optical Effects](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lensflare-optical-effects/id349424050)
- [LensLight Visual Effects](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lenslight-visual-effects/id419518259)
- [Alien Sky - Space Camera](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alien-sky-space-camera/id519529254)
- [LensFX Epic Photo Effects](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lensfx-epic-photo-effects/id698448636)
- [Circular Tiny Planet Editor](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circular-tiny-planet-editor/id845737955)
- [Reflect Mirror Camera](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reflect-mirror-camera/id898143628)

All apps by James Grote: https://appshunter.io/developer/338517204

## Related topics

[sky edit photo](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sky-edit-photo)

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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 2026-08-31.*