WhatsApp is testing a new Meta AI tool for Android users only that will automatically stretch photos to fit a tall 9:16 frame. The AI creates matching content around the borders to fill out the background, keeping your original photo completely intact instead of making you crop or edit your image by hand.
WhatsApp Photo Expansion feature spotted in Beta: #
The new Photo Expansion feature has been revealed in the WhatsApp (2.26.33.2) Android beta version.
It is available inside the drawing editor next to AI tools such as Animate and Background. Once you pick one, Meta AI scans your image and generates additional content on the sides to fill the screen. And if you don't like the first attempt, you can just run the tool again and get a new output.
WhatsApp is exploring a new AI-powered tool to expand photos!
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo)
WhatsApp is working on a new AI-powered feature to expand photos to the 9:16 format on Android.[https://t.co/rHs1xEOpGF][pic.twitter.com/JhhO9j7uw8][August 18, 2026]
"The drawing editor is about to get one more capability. WhatsApp is working on a new option to expand a photo to the 9:16 format using Meta AI. We spotted this feature with the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.33.2 update from the Google Play Store," WABetaInfo, a website that tracks WhatsApp reported.
"Specifically, WhatsApp is developing an AI-powered photo expansion tool that fits any image into the 9:16 format. This makes photo editing more powerful without adding complexity to the workflow," it added.
WhatsApp plans to add the photo expansion tool to chats and Status updates: #
WhatsApp plans to bring the photo expansion tool to both regular chats and Status updates, though Status may get it first. Because the 9:16 aspect ratio fits full-screen vertical posts, this feature will be especially useful for anyone posting wide or square photos to their Status without needing to crop them.
This feature is still under development and has not been rolled out to the general users yet. It would probably be released first to Android beta users but there is no specific release date.
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