Why not just crop?
Cropping a wide photo to 9:16 throws away most of the frame — often including the very thing you wanted to show. Adding a blurred copy behind it looks dated. Extending the photo keeps the whole subject and adds believable sky, ground or backdrop above and below.
How to do it on iPhone
- Open Qutu and choose Expand image.
- Pick the photo.
- Choose 9:16 as the target shape.
- Generate. Qutu fills the new space so the scene continues naturally.
- Save the result and post it to your Story.
You can do the same in your browser with Qutu Web.
Photos that expand best
- Landscapes and cityscapes — sky and ground are easy to continue.
- Portraits against simple backdrops — walls, studio paper, nature.
- Product shots on a plain surface, when you need room for text.
Busy crowds and detailed architecture right at the edge are harder; give the AI a clean edge to work from when you can.
Tips
- Start from the sharpest version of the photo so the new areas match the detail level.
- Leave room for stickers and text at the top and bottom — that’s where Instagram places its own UI too.
- Need it even sharper? Run the result through HD enhance before posting.