Facebook is now letting users animate their profile photos… with the help of AI.
Meta announced Tuesday that it’s rolling out new AI-powered features across Facebook designed to add more flair to how people present themselves on the platform. The centerpiece is animated profile pictures, which use Meta AI to add motion to still photos in seconds.
The profile picture animation feature includes preset options such as “natural,” “wave,” “heart,” “confetti,” and “party hat.” Meta says it will add more animation choices throughout the year to coincide with seasonal moments and special events.
For optimal results, the company recommends using “a photo that features a single person facing the camera with their face clearly visible, and not holding other objects.” Users can pull photos from their camera roll or select images already uploaded to Facebook. Once animated, the clips can be shared to the feed and displayed on profiles.
‘Restyle’ brings AI editing to Stories and Memories
It isn’t just the profile picture that’s getting a makeover. Meta is also introducing a tool called Restyle for Facebook Stories and Memories. This allows users to completely overhaul the vibe of an old photo using AI prompts or preset artistic filters like “anime” or “illustrated.”
“You can tap Restyle and either use Meta AI to change things up how you want, or pick from Styles (like anime or illustrated), Moods (like glowy), Lighting (like ethereal), Colors (like cool or pink), and Backdrops (like beach or cityscape),” according to Meta. This feature seems designed to encourage users to reshare old content by giving it a fresh, AI-generated coat of paint.
Text-only posts are getting a visual upgrade, too.
For those who still prefer writing updates over filming Reels, Facebook is rolling out animated backgrounds. By tapping a new rainbow “A” icon while drafting a post, users can choose backgrounds like falling leaves or ocean waves to make their words pop in a crowded feed.
Meta describes the new tools as a way to create “share-worthy moments that spark meaningful interactions and conversations with friends.”
The new features arrive as Meta works to make Facebook feel more relevant and engaging, particularly as it competes for attention with newer social platforms. Despite having more than two billion daily users, the company has been introducing changes to encourage more personal sharing and interaction.
Also read: Meta is also using AI to streamline account recovery and support across Facebook and Instagram.