Learn how to expand a photo by intelligently generating new content beyond its original boundaries using built-in Apple AI in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 Golden Gate.
By now, I’m sure you already know about the tons of AI tools, including Apple’s own Image Playground app, that can generate full images based on text prompts.
The latest Apple update adds a new ‘Extend’ generative AI feature in the Photos app that’s related to the above AI tools, in the sense that it uses AI to fill in new content and add parts to a photo that were never there.
However, unlike the dedicated AI tools, the Extend feature doesn’t work on your text prompts, meaning you don’t have much control over it. You can, however, define how much of the photo you want to be created by using the basic zoom and crop tools. Secondly, it only generates up to a maximum of 25% extra photo per side.
I tried this with a few images, and the final image AI constructed was really impressive. However, in case the photo does not turn out nice for you, you can always revert the changes and get back the original picture.
Another important thing to know is that there is a limit on how many times you can use the Extend AI tool each day. Now, Apple doesn’t clearly define the limit, but it’s there. However, subscribing to iCloud+ or Apple One increases the daily limit for using all AI tools, including the new Extend feature. Again, we don’t know by how much it increases.
Supported devices
The new Extend feature uses Apple Intelligence, which is Apple’s take on AI. As a result, it’s only available on:
- iPhone 15 Pro and later running iOS 27.
- iPad mini with A17 Pro chip and iPad Air & iPad Pro with Apple silicon chip running iPadOS 27.
- Mac with an Apple silicon chip (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6) or MacBook Neo with A18 Pro chip running macOS 27 Golden Gate. Intel Macs are not supported.
Use AI to extend a photo on iPhone or iPad
1) Open the iOS 27 Photos app and tap a picture you want to extend.
2) Tap the edit icon and then go to the Tools tab.
3) Select the Extend tool.
4) Use pinch to zoom or drag the tabs on the photo sides to adjust how much and how you want the photo to be created by AI. Then, tap the yellow Extend button.
5) Wait a while until AI extends the picture. Then tap the new photo to see the original and compare them.
6) If you’re happy with the results, tap the checkmark icon, followed by Done to save it.
The Extend tool works on the same original photo; it doesn’t create a copy. So, you’ll find it in the same spot in your photo library as before.
As of iOS 27 Beta 4, Apple has not added a dedicated ‘Extended’ or ‘Modified’ category in its Media Types or Utilities section of the Photos app, making it harder to see all retouched images in one spot.
However, you can swipe on a photo, and if it has been retouched by this AI tool, you’ll see a “Modified with Extend” label.
Extend a photo on Mac
The fundamentals are similar to iPhone and iPad.
1) Launch the macOS 27 Photos app and open a picture.
2) Click the Edit button at the top.
3) Go to the Tools tab at the top.
4) Click the Extend button.
5) Select an aspect ratio or drag the sides to extend them on the supposed canvas.
6) Click the Extend button and wait for Apple Intelligence to generate the photo sides.
7) Finally, click the Save Changes button at the top, followed by Done.
These AI-edited photos on Mac have a “Modified with Extend” label, which you can see by clicking the info icon ⓘ or by pressing the Command + I keys.
Revert the changes
If you change your mind, return to the editing screen in the Photos app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, then tap the red Revert button.
Also, new in iOS 27: