WhatsApp rolls out AI-powered photo expansion tool on iOS

Meta is rolling out a new artificial intelligence feature for WhatsApp, introducing a photo expansion tool directly into the app's built-in image editor. The feature is currently reaching select users on iOS.

• The tool is powered by Meta AI and is initially rolling out to beta testers via TestFlight.
• It allows users to automatically expand photos beyond original borders by analyzing the image context.
• Users can tap an undo button to revert to the original if they are not satisfied with the generated result.
• The feature also works with status updates and has started appearing for some Android beta users as well.

How the WhatsApp photo expansion tool works

When a user selects a photo within their chats, WhatsApp opens the drawing editor where various AI enhancement effects are located. Among these options, a new tool allows users to expand their photos seamlessly. Once selected, Meta AI analyzes the image for a few seconds and generates the missing background areas.

After the processing is complete, the expanded photo appears in the editor, ready to be sent in chats or posted as a status update. If the AI-generated result is not satisfactory, users can easily revert back to the original image and try generating a completely new version.

Rollout status and future availability

As is typical for early-stage beta features on WhatsApp, an official release date for the general public has not yet been announced. However, given that the feature has also expanded to Android beta testers and some public iOS users, a wider rollout is likely approaching.

This addition brings WhatsApp closer to other modern platforms offering generative photo editing, such as ChatGPT, Photoshop, and Apple's native Extend tool available through Apple Intelligence. Meta continues to integrate advanced AI features across its ecosystem to enhance user experience.

What this means for users and the industry

The integration of generative AI tools directly into messaging apps simplifies content creation for millions of people. Users can quickly adjust and improve their visual content without needing external editing software, making media sharing on mobile devices more versatile and creative.