WhatsApp has always reigned supreme when it comes to sending images, but editing has traditionally relied on third-party apps. Meta's platform seems poised to change that trend, and perhaps even leverage its artificial intelligence to its fullest potential. The Android beta has just confirmed that WhatsApp's AI photo editor is set to receive a significant overhaul with deep integration of Meta AI.
The folks at WaBetaInfo have uncovered one of the most striking new features in recent times in beta version 2.26.33.2 . It's a mode for expanding images to the 9:16 aspect ratio, which will be a welcome addition for those who use Status updates as a communication method. This solution joins a host of other tools that will be released so you don't have to rely on external photos when chatting through the app.
The 'Expand' function: filling in what is not visible
The star tool is called 'Expand,' and as its name suggests, it will enlarge the content of an image until it reaches the 9:16 vertical aspect ratio . The classic problem is that painful cropping when you want a horizontal photo to fill the entire screen of your status. With WhatsApp's AI, that's a thing of the past. What's expected isn't a simple stretching that distorts the image, but rather intelligent generation: Meta AI will analyze the elements of the photo and create synthetic content at the edges to reconstruct the scene, as if it were a graphic enlargement.
For example, if you have a photo with a landscape in the background, the AI will try to draw more landscape above and below it until it fills the desired format. This is possible thanks to Meta AI's generative capabilities. The user can open the image in the drawing editor and access these new features. After the process, WhatsApp will let you preview the result and decide whether to share it as is or repeat the process if you're not satisfied. Of course, the quality of the enlargement will depend on the resolution and detail of the original image; the more information there is, the better the recreation will be.
More AI-powered editing tools are on the way
But this is just a glimpse of what's to come. The effects aren't limited to simply enlarging; there's a whole range of actions to transform the look of your photos . From applying preset styles that turn the image into an anime drawing, a 3D model with polygons, a watercolor, or an art deco poster, to options that let you remove the photo's background or erase specific objects you don't want in the frame. AI can even be used to modify the photo's content through written instructions, reminiscent of AI-powered conversational assistants.
These features are designed for both the app's chats and Status updates, although it's likely that not all of them will be available simultaneously in both spaces. What is clear is that the 'Draw' section will move beyond its basic photographic function and become a complete mini-editor. All the options are powered by Meta AI, and the key innovation is the intuitive interaction: simply tap the tool, and the AI will do the rest . You won't need to adjust brightness or contrast settings; you'll just ask, and the system will do it automatically.
When will it arrive in Spain and Europe?
As is often the case with these unexpectedly released features, the beta version has only tested compatibility on Android so far . WaBetaInfo researchers have seen it in Google Play beta version 2.26.33.2, but there's no guarantee it's available in all regions or that it will arrive on all devices soon. Meta typically rolls out features gradually, and for Spain and Europe, it usually waits a few months after the US launch. However, it hasn't been ruled out that this AI editor will be implemented in the beta channel over the next few weeks, while the company refines its functionality.
