Facebook adds Meta AI tools to animate profile pictures and restyle stories

Facebook has launched new features that use Meta AI to animate profile pictures and apply AI-based visual restyling to Stories and Memories. The update introduces short animated profile images and optional AI-driven styling tools that are built directly into existing posting workflows.^[1]

Meta announced the changes on February 10, 2026, describing them as part of a broader rollout of AI-powered creative features across Facebook.^[1]

Context and background

Meta has expanded the use of Meta AI across its products over the past year, adding AI-powered tools for image creation, chat assistance, and content customization.

The latest update focuses on applying AI enhancements to existing Facebook features rather than introducing new content formats.

Instead of generating content from scratch, the tools are designed to modify photos and posts that users have already created.

For profile pictures, users can select an existing photo and apply preset animation styles generated by Meta AI. Meta lists animation options including “natural,” “wave,” “confetti,” “heart,” “headphones,” and “party hat.”

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According to Meta, users can choose photos from their camera roll or from images already uploaded to Facebook. Once animated, the image can be shared to the Feed and displayed on the user’s profile.

The update also introduces a “Restyle” feature for Stories and Memories, which allows users to apply preset visual styles or enter text prompts to change the appearance of a photo. Meta says Restyle includes options related to style, mood, lighting, colors, and backgrounds.

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In addition, Meta says it is gradually rolling out animated backgrounds for text-only Feed posts, which can be selected during post creation.

Why this matters

The update illustrates how generative AI is increasingly being integrated into routine actions on large social platforms rather than offered as separate tools. By limiting creative control to presets and guided prompts, Meta appears to be emphasizing consistency and ease of use over full customization.

For users, the features provide new visual options without requiring advanced editing skills or external software.

Similar AI-based photo animation tools have appeared on other platforms over the past year.

TikTok introduced an “AI Alive” feature in 2025 that allows users to turn still images into short animated videos for TikTok Stories^[2], while Google Photos added tools that use generative AI to animate photos into brief video clips.^[3] Unlike Facebook’s implementation, these tools are not tied specifically to profile images, but they reflect a broader move toward applying AI-driven motion effects to static photos.