Unlock a layer to be able to edit or transform it.
![Layers panel superimposed on an image of a partly cloudy sky.](./media_1381cc41b462e3a0b0a9424f7325ed5c83c9f6548.png?width=750&format=png&optimize=medium)
How do I unlock a layer?
If your layer is locked or partially locked, click the small lock icon to the right of the layer name to unlock it. To lock a layer, select it and click the lock icon above your stack of layers in the Layers panel.
Why can’t I unlock my layer in Photoshop?
To be able to unlock, first make sure your Layers panel is visible. If it’s not, go to Window › Layers from the top menu bar. If the Layers panel still doesn’t show up, go to Window › Workspace and choose Essentials.
![Window button superimposed on a photo of a person.](./media_1da7a5ec4fc273e8a0976151eedc0871109368ea7.png?width=750&format=png&optimize=medium)
![Layers panel superimposed on an illustration of a rainbow.](./media_1460454e90d0a9dc047a105b9ee4a7874bf5fac46.png?width=750&format=png&optimize=medium)
How do I unlock a background layer?
When you create artwork in Photoshop with an opaque background — a solid color, texture, or image — the bottom layer automatically becomes the background layer, and it’s partially locked so you can’t alter its opacity or position in your stacking order. To fully unlock it, turn it into a normal layer by double-clicking the layer and selecting the option Layer from Background.
Two ways to unlock or lock a Photoshop layer.
- With the Layers panel:
Uo to your Layers panel and select the layer you’d like to unlock. If it’s locked, you’ll see a padlock symbol next to the name of the layer. Click the padlock icon next to the layer to unlock all the layer’s properties. If it’s unlocked and you want to lock it, click the lock icon in the Layers panel above your layer stack to lock all the layer’s properties. - With the keyboard shortcut:
You can also use the keyboard shortcut of Command+/ (on Mac) or Ctrl+/ (on Windows) to lock or unlock any layer that you have selected.
How to unlock a partially locked layer.
![Lock Transparent Pixels icon superimposed on an abstract illustration featuring colorful shapes.](./media_1c78a56156d8fae179263ba6c1de9a92bf292b123.png?width=750&format=png&optimize=medium)
Lock or unlock transparent pixels.
The Lock Transparent Pixels icon resembles a tiny checkerboard. This will keep the transparent area transparent. Paint strokes or other shapes you add to your layer will only affect opaque areas of the layer. For example, paint a design onto an object that’s on a transparent background without worrying that your paint strokes will travel outside the lines of the object.
Lock or unlock image pixels.
The Lock Image Pixels icon is a paintbrush. This lock is the opposite of the Lock Transparent Pixels lock. When clicked, it protects all opaque pixels from being modified with painting tools.
![Lock Image Pixels icon superimposed on an abstract illustration featuring colorful shapes.](./media_1d4311811cd5a168d6d2ade85553c8fe1126e99f9.png?width=750&format=png&optimize=medium)
![Lock Position icon superimposed on an abstract illustration featuring colorful shapes.](./media_1d034eea9bb31716b831a3eb6432629995a6a7e53.png?width=750&format=png&optimize=medium)
Lock or unlock position.
When Lock Position is activated, it prevents any movement of the objects on a layer. This icon looks like a crossed set of arrows.
Take your layers further.
Explore these Photoshop tutorials to discover more layer-related graphic design tips.
![An image created by blending multiple images.](./media_168b08bc07d5f2df5fd3dff222145910e4af9c5d4.png?width=750&format=png&optimize=medium)
Drop in images as new layers.
Create layers by adding new pictures into your project.
![An image of a person set against a split background. Half of the background is pink and the other half is a beach scene.](./media_1252d617aeebe786269d78e82cc97c668e737a2b2.png?width=750&format=png&optimize=medium)
Trim layers with masking tools.
Learn to crop a layer by hiding a portion of it.
![An image of a tall building that has been vertically cropped in half and mirrored.](./media_16f5b88e624c7612e6d4f6d0a4bfd666f4f18c76e.png?width=750&format=png&optimize=medium)
Create mirrored images.
Flip layers on a vertical or horizontal axis.
![An image of a parent and two children running on the beach. The parent image is in its own layer and there is a bounding box around it.](./media_1d53784dba4150f869cb85b3d74fddcffdade2811.png?width=750&format=png&optimize=medium)
Transform layer size.
Use the Free Transform tool to change the size of a layer.
![An image of a boat on the ocean. The boat image is in its own layer and there is a bounding box around it.](./media_150f43c38b6c086913a84777c1bb8bd86ab31f103.png?width=750&format=png&optimize=medium)
Spin it right ’round.
Use the Move Selection tool to rotate a layer.
![An image of a person set against a split background. Half of the background is blue and the other half is transparent.](./media_1da22cd0868ec3d35926044e5bdd3883defc94d32.png?width=750&format=png&optimize=medium)
Hone your edits.
Focus your edits on one area of a layer only by masking layers.