Meta's AI Turns Photos 3D

Meta’s Reality Labs is innovating Instagram, turning the social media experience into an immersive 3D format for Meta Quest users. The company has announced a limited test allowing select users to experience Instagram photos in a new dimension, using AI view synthesis algorithms to add depth to standard 2D images.

The technology converts existing Instagram feed photos “pixel by pixel” without requiring special 3D photography equipment. According to Meta’s blog post, this transformation creates a subtle sense of movement within images, making them appear more lifelike when viewed through a Quest headset.

AI and Reality

Meta says viewers might perceive the arc of a soccer ball or experience “the cutest little Eskimo kiss.” These depth cues aim to make the social media browsing experience more engaging for VR users.

This development is noteworthy, as Meta seems to have beaten Android XR to implementing spatial content viewing capabilities. Android’s XR platform has been planning to deliver the ability to make traditional content more immersive but hasn’t yet fully implemented it.

Quest Interface Update

The 3D Instagram feature is part of a broader update to the Meta Quest platform. The latest Quest update also introduces a revamped user interface called “Navigator,” which Meta describes as “the beginning of our reimagined OS.” This interface is designed to integrate social and spatial experiences, positioning Meta’s VR platform as an extension of its social media ecosystem. The update represents a strategic move to blend Meta’s properties into an extended reality environment.

Meta's Vision

The introduction of 3D Instagram photos aligns with Meta’s long-term vision of building an immersive metaverse where social interactions transcend screen-based experiences. By transforming social media content into spatial experiences, Meta is attempting to create bridges between its social platforms and its VR ecosystem.

Meta’s announcement focuses on the user experience benefits. The technology involves AI processing of user-generated content.

Testing

The 3D Instagram feature is currently available to a limited group of testers, and Meta says that even those users might not immediately see the new functionality. Meta has not provided specific timelines for a broader rollout.

A YouTube video released on May 23, 2025, demonstrates the new features, showing how the immersive photos appear when viewed through a Quest headset. The video highlights Meta’s ambition to “revolutionize” Instagram through AI-powered 3D photos alongside other Quest platform enhancements.

As this test progresses, it may signal a shift in how social media content is consumed, potentially setting new expectations for immersion and accelerating the convergence of social platforms with extended reality experiences.