Instagram users can now customise stories using Meta AI prompts: Here’s how

Instagram now lets you edit photos and videos directly in your Stories using Meta AI with simple text prompts.

Instagram is expanding the ways users can edit photos and videos by integrating Meta’s AI tools directly into Instagram Stories. The update will allow users to enter text prompts to modify images and videos, including adding, removing, or completely changing elements.

Now you can edit your photos and videos directly in your Instagram stories using Meta AI. (REUTERS)

By MD Ijaj Khan

Ijaj Khan is a technology journalist and Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times, with over three years of experience covering the consumer technology industry. His work spans smartphones, laptops, wearables, gaming, appliances and AI - from hands-on reviews, comparison and buying guides to breaking news and in-depth features that help readers cut through the noise and make informed decisions. Before joining HT Tech, he worked with Jagran New Media, where he sharpened his instincts for fast-paced digital reporting. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi. Whether he's testing the latest flagship smartphone, tracking a major AI announcement, or putting a gaming laptop through its paces, Ijaj approaches every story with the same goal - making technology feel relevant and easy to understand for everyday users, not just enthusiasts. When he's not in front of a screen for work, he's usually travelling to a new city, hunting for great food, or keeping tabs on what's next in tech before everyone else catches on.

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Now AI Editing Directly in Stories

Previously, Meta offered AI editing through interactions with its chatbot, but those tools required a separate step. The new integration places AI editing directly within Stories, which makes the process faster and more intuitive.

Users can access the features through the “Restyle” menu, located at the top of Instagram Stories when tapping the paintbrush icon. From there, users can select “add,” “remove,” or “change” and describe the edits they want in a text prompt. For example, prompts can change shirt colour, add accessories like a cap, or replace a background with a popular tourist spot.

Preset Effects for Images and Videos

The update also includes preset effects for images and videos. Users can change clothing items, apply artistic filters like watercolour, or modify scenes in videos to include snow or flames. These effects aim to make creative editing more accessible without needing advanced skills or external apps.

Note: When using Meta AI, users agree to the company’s AI Terms of Service. These terms allow Meta to analyse uploaded photos and videos, modify the content, and generate new visuals based on the original media.

Meta has continued adding AI features across its platforms to maintain competitiveness. The company recently tested a “Write with Meta AI” feature to suggest comments for Instagram posts and launched an AI-generated video feed called “Vibes” in the Meta AI app. According to Similarweb data (via TechCrunch), daily active users on iOS and Android rose from about 775,000 to 2.7 million over four weeks in October.

To address safety concerns, Meta introduced parental controls this month. These features let parents see what their teenagers are doing with AI characters and turn off chats if needed. This will give families more control over AI activity.