Ever needed to take a photo from a wider field of view or messed up the corners and wanted to fix it? Well, the new Extend tool in iOS 27 can address these problems by expanding the corners and filling in the gaps with the help of Apple Intelligence. So, if you want to try to improve or tweak your images with it, then check out this guide to learn how to extend images in the Photos app on your iPhone.
What Does the Extend Tool in Photos Do?
Extend is one of the two new Apple Intelligence features introduced with iOS 27, alongside the Reframe tool. It expands the photo beyond its original frame by generating and filling in the new content around the corners and edges.
I have been testing it out on my iPhone Air, and for me, its most obvious use case has been to fix a photo where something important was left just outside the frame but peeking through the edge or when I want a wider perspective of the shot. Extend works outward, generating what the scene might look like beyond the original frame of the image.
How to Extend Images in Photos App on iPhone
If you've installed the iOS 27 developer beta, then here's how you can extend images in the Photos app on your iPhone.
- Launch the Photos app on your iPhone and open the image you want to edit.
- Tap on Edit (settings icon) at the bottom of the screen and select Tools.
- Next, pick Extend. It will scan the image before you can make any changes.
- Now, use a pinch gesture to change the perspective of the image.
- Once the framing looks right, tap on Extend. Wait for a few seconds for Apple Intelligence to generate the new areas.
- Review the result and tap on the checkmark at the top if you are satisfied.
- Then, tap on Done in the top right again to save the extended image.
Apple also preserves the original photo so you can go back and make changes again if you don't like the current results.
Best Tips to Extend Images in iPhone Photos App
The Extend tool is still a work in progress and might not deliver accurate results in the current iOS 27 developer beta 1. But after testing out the feature for a few days, I have come up with some tips to help you achieve the best results from the Apple Intelligence tool.
- Works best on simple backgrounds: Skies, walls, open water, and plain floors produce the most convincing extended images. Busy, detailed scenes with lots of objects are harder for the AI to generate convincingly.
- Extend in small increments: I also recommend expanding the frame gradually, rather than dragging it out dramatically in one go, which produces more natural results, particularly around the edges.
- Review closely before saving: Once done, I suggest zooming into the generated areas before tapping Save to check for any inconsistencies or visual artefacts, especially around the edges.
- Works on photos from any source: 'Extend' is not limited to iPhone photos. Images downloaded from the web, taken on a different camera, or shared from another device can all be extended.
Which iPhones Support 'Extend' in Photos App?
The Extend tool is a part of Apple Intelligence and available on iOS 27. So, any iOS 27-eligible device that also supports Apple Intelligence will get the new Extend tool in the Photos app. But just for context, here is a list of the iPhones that support the new feature.
- iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air
Note: Apple Intelligence must be enabled on the device for the tool to appear in the Photos app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I restore the original photo after using iOS 27's Extend feature?
Extended photos are saved as an edit rather than replacing the original photo. To revert to the original, open the photo > Edit > Tools > Extend > Revert at the top right of the screen.
Q. Does Extend need an internet connection?
The Extend feature mostly works on-device, but Apple requires an internet connection, as the image is processed through Apple's Private Cloud Compute servers.
Q. Does Extend work on screenshots and downloaded images?
Yes. Extend works on any photo saved to the Photos library, regardless of how it got there. Screenshots, images downloaded from the web, and photos shared from other devices are all supported.
That is everything I have on the new Extend tool in the Photos app on iOS 27. The feature is quite an exciting addition to Apple's list of AI features, and I am glad they are trying to do more with Apple Intelligence with the update. That said, I hope you found this guide useful and I was able to sort out all your queries.
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