Meta has integrated AI-powered photo and video editing tools directly within Instagram Stories. The feature allows users to modify their content by entering text-based prompts designed to add, remove, or completely change visual elements in their media.
These editing capabilities are now more accessible compared to previous iterations, which were limited to interactions inside the Meta AI chatbot. Users can locate the new features within the “Restyle” menu, found at the top of the Instagram Stories interface after tapping the paintbrush icon. To begin an edit, a user can select options labeled “add,” “remove,” or “change” and then type a description of the desired modification into a prompt bar. This system enables specific, user-directed alterations to images.
The tool supports a range of creative modifications. For example, Meta has specified that users can instruct the AI to change their hair color, place a crown on their head, or generate a new sunset background for an existing photograph. In addition to custom prompts, a selection of preset effects is available. These presets can alter a person’s outfit by adding items like sunglasses or a biker jacket. They can also change an image’s entire aesthetic, such as applying a watercolor effect. For video content, the tools can create visual overlays, including simulations of falling snow or the appearance of flames.
Usage of the Meta AI features on Instagram requires acceptance of Meta’s AI Terms of Service. These terms permit the company’s AI to analyze user-uploaded media, including facial features. According to the service agreement, when photos are uploaded for editing, Meta is authorized to “summarize image contents, modify images, and generate new content based on the image.”
This update is part of a series of AI-focused introductions from the company. Meta was recently observed testing a “Write with Meta AI” prompt, a function designed to assist Instagram users in generating comments for posts. Last month, the company also launched “Vibes,” an AI-generated video feed within the main Meta AI application. Data from Similarweb shows that the Meta AI app’s daily active users on iOS and Android platforms increased to 2.7 million as of October 17, rising from approximately 775,000 four weeks prior.
To address parental concerns, Meta also announced new control features earlier this month. These tools give parents the ability to disable their teenagers’ access to chats with AI characters. The controls also allow parents to monitor the topics their teens are discussing with the Meta AI chatbot.
