Select the layer in the Layers panel that contains the mask you want to apply or delete.
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Apply or delete layer masks
Last updated on
Oct 27, 2025
Learn how to apply a layer mask to permanently remove hidden areas or delete a mask without applying it in Adobe Photoshop.
Select one of the following methods to apply or delete the mask:
- To apply a layer mask, select the Layer masks icon at the bottom of the Layers panel.
Note
When layer masks with discontinuous areas are applied, pixels are hidden, not deleted.
- To delete the layer mask without applying it, select the Delete icon at the bottom of the Layers panel.
Tip
You cannot permanently apply a layer mask to a Smart Object layer when deleting the layer mask.
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