Facebook adds new AI features, animated profile photos, and backgrounds for text posts

Facebook introduced a new set of AI-driven features on Tuesday to help users share content more creatively and expressively. The updates include animated profile pictures, AI-based photo restyling for Stories and Memories, and animated backgrounds for text posts.

As parent company Meta works to keep Facebook relevant with younger audiences, the latest additions appear designed to deliver a more customizable, visually engaging experience that resonates with Gen Z users.

One of the headline features is animated profile pictures, which add motion effects to otherwise static images. These animations can make the subject appear to wave, form a heart shape with their hands, or wear a virtual party hat. For optimal results, Facebook recommends using a clear image of a single individual facing the camera. Users can select photos from their device’s camera roll or choose images already uploaded to the platform. The company indicated that additional animation styles will be introduced throughout the year.

Facebook is also upgrading its Stories — temporary photo and video posts that disappear after 24 hours — and Memories, which resurface posts from the same calendar date in previous years. A new tool called “Restyle,” powered by Meta AI, allows users to transform the appearance of their photos.

After uploading an image to Stories or selecting a Memory, users can tap Restyle and either type a custom prompt or choose from preset themes such as anime, illustrated, glowy, ethereal, and others. The feature also enables adjustments to mood, lighting, and colour tones, and allows users to swap in alternative backdrops, including beach scenes or urban cityscapes.

To enhance text-based posts, Facebook is gradually rolling out animated backgrounds. By selecting the rainbow-colored “A” icon, users can apply a variety of static and animated visuals — such as falling leaves or rolling ocean waves — to help their posts stand out in the feed. The company said additional seasonal backgrounds are expected soon.

With roughly 2.1 billion daily active users, Facebook continues to rank among the world’s largest social platforms. Still, in recent years, it has faced challenges in attracting and retaining younger demographics.

To address this shift, Facebook has embraced AI-powered features and introduced a refreshed design to appeal to a younger audience. Recent changes also include a friends-only feed and the option to use distinct display names within Groups, similar to username systems on platforms like Reddit. Additionally, Facebook is reviving its poke feature by adding a dedicated button on user profiles that triggers a notification when someone pokes, reintroducing the once-popular interaction to a new generation of users.