Apple unveils Spatial Reframing AI photo tool at WWDC 2026

Apple ↘ 0.14% unveiled Spatial Reframing on Monday at WWDC 2026, a new AI-powered photo editing tool that lets users change the perspective of an image after it has been taken — as if the camera had been repositioned before the shot was captured.appleinsider+1

How Spatial Reframing Works

The feature, announced during the keynote at Apple Park, allows users to touch and drag a photo to adjust its angle, zoom, or perspective in real time. If a user accidentally captured a sign above someone's head, or if stepping slightly to the right would have made for a more symmetrical composition, Spatial Reframing can correct the issue after the fact.androidauthority+1

As the photo is adjusted, a blur appears around the edges of the original image. Apple's generative AI models then fill in the gaps, generating only the content needed to maintain consistency with the original scene. The feature draws on spatial computing technology developed for Apple Vision Pro, applying the company's understanding of spatial models to standard photos. It runs using on-device models and Apple's Private Cloud Compute infrastructure. Edited images will automatically include a hidden SynthID watermark to indicate AI involvement.techcrunch+2

Apple confirmed the tool will work not only with new photos but also with existing images, including those captured on non-iPhone devices.appleinsider

A Broader Photos Overhaul

Spatial Reframing is part of a wider refresh to the Photos app coming in iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27. The updated editing interface includes a dedicated "Apple Intelligence Tools" section with additional capabilities.macrumors+1

The "Extend" tool expands images beyond their original frame, letting users pinch to zoom out or adjust the crop to add more scenery — useful for straightening a crooked horizon without losing important elements. The existing "Clean Up" tool is also receiving an upgrade, promising more realistic AI-generated infill when removing distractions from a photo.techcrunch+1

Bloomberg had reported in April that these features were in development, though sources noted at the time that the tools did not perform reliably during internal testing. Apple's decision to showcase them prominently during the keynote suggests the company has since made progress.9to5mac+1

Availability

Spatial Reframing and the accompanying Photos features are available for developer testing starting today through the Apple Developer Program, with a public launch expected this fall alongside iOS 27.apple+1