Meta Release Notes

When someone new walks into your life – a classmate, a neighbor, someone you meet at an event – sharing a phone number can feel like a big step. That’s because a phone number is personal and it’s tied to so many parts of your life. Sometimes you just want to chat without handing over your digits.

This is also true for group conversations. You want to join the parent chat for the soccer team but you’re not ready to give your phone number to people you've never met.

That's why we're introducing usernames for WhatsApp. Starting this week, you can reserve a username to use later this year when we launch this feature. With over three billion people on WhatsApp a lot of names overlap, which is why we're opening reservations early so everyone has the opportunity to select the username that matters to them.

For most people, choosing a WhatsApp username should be something unique that only people you want to contact you will know. If you need help picking one, we have a username generator to make one work just for you.

We also know that some people like creators, small businesses, and organizations may want to maintain a consistent presence online. For them, we reserved an option to claim their existing Instagram or Facebook username on WhatsApp.

Usernames are our latest step to make WhatsApp even more private. There's no directory to browse and no suggestions – people will need to know your exact username to contact you for the first time. To help control who can reach you on WhatsApp with your username, we've built an optional username key that others will need to know to message you.

Once we launch usernames, when you message a person or business for the first time they will no longer see your phone number, if you enabled your username.

Reserving your optional username takes just a few seconds on the latest version of WhatsApp – go to Settings > Account > Username.

We'll be rolling out usernames gradually over the coming months and will notify you in WhatsApp when they're available in your country.

When someone new walks into your life — a classmate, a neighbor, someone you meet at an event — sharing a phone number can feel like a big step. That’s because a phone number is personal and it’s tied to so many parts of your life. Sometimes you just want to chat without handing over your digits.

This is also true for group conversations. You want to join the parent chat for the soccer team but you’re not ready to give your phone number to people you’ve never met.

That’s why we’re introducing usernames for WhatsApp.

Starting this week, you can reserve a username to use later this year when we launch this feature. With over three billion people on WhatsApp a lot of names overlap, which is why we’re opening reservations early so everyone has the opportunity to select the username that matters to them.

For most people, choosing a WhatsApp username should be something unique that only people you want to contact you will know. If you need help picking one, we have a username generator to make one work just for you.

We also know that some people like creators, small businesses, and organizations may want to maintain a consistent presence online. For them, we reserved an option to claim their existing Instagram or Facebook username on WhatsApp.

Usernames are our latest step to make WhatsApp even more private. There’s no directory to browse and no suggestions – people will need to know your exact username to contact you for the first time. To help control who can reach you on WhatsApp with your username, we’ve built an optional username key that others will need to know to message you.

Once we launch usernames, when you message a person or business for the first time they will no longer see your phone number, if you enabled your username.

Reserving your optional username takes just a few seconds on the latest version of WhatsApp — go to Settings > Account > Username.

We’ll be rolling out usernames gradually over the coming months and will notify you in WhatsApp when they’re available in your country.

Last year, we introduced Brain2Qwerty v1, research that uses AI to decode brain activity into text without any surgical implant. Now we're sharing the next step: Brain2Qwerty v2, the highest-performing end-to-end pipeline capable of real-time sentence decoding from non-invasive brain recordings, approaching levels of accuracy previously exclusive to techniques that require brain surgery.

To help accelerate neuroscience breakthroughs, we're releasing the full training code for Brain2Qwerty v1 and v2, and our partner, the Basque Center on Cognition, Brain, and Language (BCBL), is releasing the v1 dataset. We believe this research has the potential to make a real difference for the millions of people who suffer from brain lesions that prevent them from communicating. Invasive procedures like stereotactic electroencephalography and electrocorticography have shown that a neuroprosthesis feeding signals to an AI decoder can restore communication, but they're difficult to scale. Our noninvasive approach can help bridge that gap.

We trained Brain2Qwerty v2 on approximately 22,000 sentences from nine volunteer participants, each recorded for 10 hours wearing a magnetoencephalography (MEG) device while actively typing. Instead of relying on hand-crafted pipelines to detect neural events, we use end-to-end deep learning to decode directly from raw brain signals.

Fine-tuning large language models on neural data allows the system to leverage semantic context, bridging the gap between noisy brain recordings and coherent language. We also deployed AI agents to explore optimizations for the decoding pipeline, with final training configurations selected manually by engineers.

The result: Brain2Qwerty v2 recovers sentences coherently from noisy neural inputs, achieving a word accuracy rate of 61%, significantly improving upon the 8% word accuracy from other non-invasive methods. And for our best participant, we achieve a 78% word accuracy, where more than half of all sentences are decoded with one word error or less.

We also find that decoding accuracy improves log-linearly with data volume, suggesting that the remaining performance gap with surgical approaches could be further narrowed through data scaling alone. This work contributes to our efforts to build open foundational models of the brain, with our Tribev2 model for perception encoding, NeuralSet to process brain data at scale, and NeuralBench to systematically evaluate models. We do this in close collaboration with the community, through our recent $5 million fund to stimulate open datasets in our Digital Brain Project. Our hope is that this work, done in the open, advances neuroscience to identify, diagnose, and treat neurological disorders faster than in siloes.

AI Info Label

Applies to all versions.

The Content Publishing API now supports self-disclosure of AI-generated content at publish time. Set the new is_ai_generated parameter to true when creating a media container to apply the AI info label. For carousels, set is_ai_generated on the carousel container only. Available in both Instagram API with Facebook Login and Instagram API with Instagram Login. is_ai_generated field is also now available on the IG Media endpoint.

Endpoints

• POST /{ig_user_id}/media with the is_ai_generated parameter
• GET /{ig_media_id}?fields=is_ai_generated

Today, we’re expanding Instagram for TV to Samsung TVs across the US and testing new features that help people connect around what they’re watching. Whether you’re catching up on your favorite creators, laughing at reels with friends, or discovering something new with family, Instagram for TV makes it easier to enjoy the videos you love on the biggest screen in the home.

Since launching last year, we’ve been learning what makes Instagram feel uniquely at home on TV. As we continue to build, we’re focused on making it easier for people to discover videos together, pick up where they left off, and share the experience with others in the room.

Now Available on Samsung TVs

Starting today, Instagram for TV is available on Samsung Smart TVs in the US, including 2020 model year TVs and newer. Combined with Amazon Fire TV and Google TV, Instagram is now available across the majority of connected TV devices in the US.

Built Around How You Actually Watch

We’ve heard from our community that Instagram for TV is often a shared experience. Friends and family watch together, pass the remote, and swap recommendations in real time. That’s why the features we’re testing today are designed to make discovering, sharing, and enjoying Instagram easier with the people around you.

• Channels organized around your interests. Instead of debating what to watch, channels make it easier to find videos everyone in the room can enjoy together, whether that’s comedy, sports, or your favorite creators.
• Cast Reels from your phone. Found something worth sharing? Send Reels directly from your phone to your TV in just a few taps. Casting is available today on Google TV and Fire TV, including videos from your Saved tab, making it easier to bring your favorite finds to the group.
• Stories on the big screen. Catch up on what friends and creators are sharing without crowding around a phone.
• Horizontal video. You asked, we listened. We’re testing a dedicated home for horizontal videos, giving creators more ways to reach audiences and making it easier to enjoy content designed for the TV screen.

Exploring New Formats for the Living Room

Watching on TV is different from watching on a phone. As we continue to learn from our community, we’re exploring more formats built for the living room and aim to start rolling them out soon.

Here are some of the formats we’re exploring:

• Longer-form creator content that enables creators to tell deeper stories and build stronger connections with their audiences through longer-form video on TV.
• Episodic series that unfold across multiple episodes, building on viewing behaviors we’ve already seen on Instagram mobile app.
• Live on TV, which brings live creator experiences to the big screen and creates new opportunities for people to watch and participate together in real time.

Building With Creators

Creators are helping shape the future of Instagram for TV. As we explore longer-form, episodic, and live formats, we’re working closely with creators to understand what works best on TV and how these experiences can complement the ways people already use Instagram.

Instagram for TV has evolved significantly since we first began testing, but we’re still in the early stages of understanding what social video looks like on TV. We’ll continue learning from our community and building new ways for people to connect around the content they love.

Takeaways

• Today, we're expanding Instagram for TV to Samsung TVs across the US and testing new features that help people connect around what they're watching. Whether you're catching up on your favorite creators, laughing at reels with friends, or discovering something new with family, Instagram for TV makes it easier to enjoy the videos you love on the biggest screen in the home.
• Since launching last year, we've been learning what makes Instagram feel uniquely at home on TV. As we continue to build, we're focused on making it easier for people to discover videos together, pick up where they left off, and share the experience with others in the room.

Now Available on Samsung TVs

Starting today, Instagram for TV is available on Samsung Smart TVs in the US (2020 models and newer). With Amazon Fire TV and Google TV, Instagram now reaches the majority of connected TV devices in the US.

Built Around How People Actually Watch

We've heard from our community that Instagram for TV is often a shared experience. Friends and family watch together, pass the remote, and swap recommendations in real time. That's why the features we're testing today are designed to make discovering, sharing, and enjoying Instagram easier with the people around you.

• Channels organized around your interests. Instead of debating what to watch, channels make it easier to find videos everyone in the room can enjoy together, whether that's comedy, sports, or your favorite creators.
• Cast Reels from your phone Found something worth sharing? Send Reels directly from your phone to your TV in just a few taps. Casting is available today on Google TV and Fire TV, including videos from your Saved tab, making it easier to bring your favorite finds to the group.
• Stories on the big screen. Catch up on what friends and creators are sharing without crowding around a phone.
• Horizontal video. You asked, we listened. We're testing a dedicated home for horizontal videos, giving creators more ways to reach audiences and making it easier to enjoy content designed for the TV screen.

Exploring New Formats for the Living Room

Watching on TV is different from watching on a phone. As we continue to learn from our community, we're exploring more formats built for the living room and hope to start rolling them out soon.

• Longer-form creator content. We're exploring ways for creators to tell deeper stories and build stronger connections with their audiences through longer-form video on TV.
• Episodic series. We're exploring content that unfolds across multiple episodes, building on viewing behaviors we've already seen on Instagram mobile app.
• Live on TV. We're exploring ways to bring live creator experiences to the big screen and create new opportunities for people to watch and participate together in real time.

Building With Creators

Creators are helping shape the future of Instagram for TV. As we explore longer-form, episodic, and live formats, we're working closely with creators to understand what works best on TV and how these experiences can complement the ways people already use Instagram.

Instagram for TV has evolved significantly since we first began testing, but we're still in the early stages of understanding what social video looks like on TV. We'll continue learning from our community and building new ways for people to connect around the content they love.

Easier Ways to Find Answers

Today we’re rolling out new features on Facebook to help you find answers to your questions, create fun photos and videos, and make things happen with the help of AI. They can help you get more done with less effort, whether that’s finding real answers from real people, creating content that’s ready to share, or turning a quick idea into something bigger.

AI Mode is a new way to get answers to your questions right on Facebook thanks to Meta AI. From exploring your Feed to searching for something specific, AI Mode uses Meta AI to give you answers grounded in what people are saying publicly across our apps like in Groups and Reels, so you get real perspectives and experiences rather than a generic list of search results.

It’s another way Meta AI, powered by Muse Spark, is showing up for you in the experiences you already use. Whether you’re searching or diving deeper into content, Meta AI is right there, ready to help.

New Tools to Create and Share

We’re also introducing new editing capabilities that leverage AI to make creative sharing even easier. We’re updating our camera roll sharing suggestions with new collage cutout templates — like friend hangs from the last month — as well as new transition effects to produce smooth, stylized video montages that are ready to share.

These suggestions remain opt-in only and can be turned off at any time. Learn more about how this feature works here.

Sometimes your favorite captures can get lost in the shuffle, or you simply don’t have time to create something special. With just a tap, create standout videos and collages you’ll actually want to share.

We’re also introducing new photo presets that make it easy to change your clothing, hair, and accessories with AI. For sports fans, you can easily rep your fandom and virtually wear a team jersey to celebrate. Just tap on the AI Edit icon in stories and select Wear It or go directly to your profile picture and tap Restyle profile picture with AI and select Wardrobe.

Whether you’re looking for answers, creating something to share, or just trying something new, these tools make it easier and more fun to make things happen on Facebook, with the help of AI and the people already here.

This summer, the world’s biggest football tournament is coming to North America, and will be discussed in real time by billions of people across our platforms. We’re partnering with creators, athletes, and teams to highlight the conversation and culture around every match — from pre-game hype to post-game debate.

Partnering With Creators, Athletes, and Teams

We’re working with broadcasters, national teams, commentators, creators, and players to bring unique points of view on the tournament to our apps. Key moments, behind-the-scenes content, pre-game preparations, post-game analyses, celebrations, and commiserations will live on Meta apps designed for sharing and discussing with your friends, family, and fellow fans.

New Features for Fans Across Meta’s Family of Apps

Threads

Threads is built for real-time conversation around the things people care about. When something wild happens on the field, fans know they can go to Threads for hot takes, banter, and real-time reactions. This summer, we’re building on that experience with new features and a dedicated community designed for the way fans actually watch the tournament.

• Live Chats: Pull up to real-time conversations hosted by football commentators, athletes, and creators before, during, and after matches. React, reply, and talk straight to the hosts as it all unfolds. Sergio Aguero, the Argentina football legend and Ian Wright, the former England striker and current TV and radio pundit, will each host three Live Chats over the course of the tournament. Follow both on Threads to get notified when their Live Chats begin. Check for an updated schedule and more hosts announced on @threads throughout the tournament.

• Football Community: A special community for this summer’s tournament on Threads is the one place for it all: match-day conversation, player content, and post-game debate.

• Live Scores: We’re giving you real-time match scores with national team branding, appearing inline as you post and in Live Chats so you can follow along while you chat.

• Team Flair: You can now choose a flag badge to appear next to your name and profile picture, so you can rep your country all tournament.

• Stickers: We’re introducing packs that show up in the composer the second you start posting about a match. Say it with more than words.

• Custom Emoji: You’ll now have football and trophy reactions for tournament posts.

• Media Highlights: We’re aggregating top content from broadcasters for you to read and react to.

• Never Miss a Moment: We’ll be spotlighting important conversation in Search, and adding Game Reminders that ping you for kickoffs and the moments you can’t miss.

Instagram

We’re making Instagram the go-to place for all things tournament-related.

• Enhanced Search: We’re introducing a brand new, enhanced search experience, so when you search for the tournament or tap the tournament button on football videos globally, you’ll land on a dedicated destination that surfaces curated, real-time content from across Instagram. You’ll see top Reels, Stories, and featured accounts from official rights-holding broadcasters and national teams, alongside the best fan content.

• AI-Powered Voice Effects: To make connecting with friends over the matches more fun, we’re globally rolling out a new ‘Goal!’ voice effect powered by AI in Instagram DMs. Send one to unlock a surprise animation.

Facebook

Facebook is going full football mode with a range of new features that bring match-day energy to every interaction.

• Football Mode: Double-tap the Facebook logo at the top of Feed to activate football mode across the app and celebrate the tournament with themed reactions and other surprises. Plus, gain access to a special football game and custom app icon by long-pressing on the logo.

• Wear It: Sport your favorite national team’s jersey with the new Wear It feature, which lets fans use AI to virtually try on jerseys and show their support by sharing the image as a profile picture, story, or post.

• Express Yourself: Find exclusive tournament-themed stickers, football-inspired design edits, and brand new expressive tools throughout Facebook to fuel your fandom.

Messenger

Messenger is launching new features to bring the tournament hype directly into your group chat.

• Live Updates: This new feature brings real-time match highlights directly into your Messenger group chat. When Live Updates is activated, your thread instantly goes from delayed reactions to real-time celebrations — no refreshing, no spoilers, just you and your friends reacting together as goals, red cards, and key match moments appear in your chat while the action unfolds on the pitch. To turn Live Updates on, just tap the plus sign in the bottom left navigation bar of your group chat and pick a game to get updates about.

• Chat Theme: Add an extra kick of football to your group chat by activating a limited-edition chat theme. Just long-press on the background of any group chat to change your background to a football pitch.

• Stickers: When words aren’t enough to capture your fandom, express yourself with our exclusive tournament-themed animated stickers.

WhatsApp

The only thing that matches the energy on the pitch is your group chat. WhatsApp has rolled out features to make following the tournament with the people you care about even more fun.

• Trionda Upgrade: We partnered with Adidas to bring the official match ball for this summer’s tournament to WhatsApp. Now through the finals, the football emoji has been upgraded to the Trionda ball. Send it as a message or drop it as a reaction.

• Calling Effects: We’ve also introduced new football calling effects, so you can bring the fun and fandom to your next group video call — filters you can add onto your face or background while you’re on a live video call.

• Football Sticker Packs: And for when you need just the right sticker to express how you feel after that missed penalty or questionable red card, we’ve rolled out a football-themed sticker pack to better express how you’re really feeling about a game.

• A Dedicated Football Directory: During the tournament, you can expect match-day countdowns, behind-the-scenes moments, and real-time highlights from channels across WhatsApp. We’ve created a dedicated football directory to bring together your favorite teams, latest scores, and updates all in one place for easy access.

• Say it With a Status: We’re also rolling out the ability for Channels to post to Status, just in time for the tournament. You’ll see statuses from channels you follow alongside other statuses, and can also view a channel’s status when you visit a Channel. You can hide any channel’s statuses so it no longer appears alongside your statuses, or unfollow the channel at any time.

Protecting Athletes and Fans Online

Football fans across the globe will use our apps to connect around the tournament. While most will be rooting for their favorite teams and players, unfortunately there may be bad actors who will try to lure people into scams or harass and abuse others — offline and online. We recently shared more details about the steps we’re taking to combat scams and our approach to keeping fans and players safe from abuse, including new in-app reminders for people searching for tickets — and updating existing ones to help people stay safe on our apps.

“We’re about to witness the biggest cultural moment of all time, and Meta will be at the very centre of showcasing the tournament’s action and surrounding culture beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch. As the place where football conversation lives and grows, Meta’s suite of apps will allow billions of fans across the globe to connect and enjoy the highs and lows of the beautiful game together.”

— Rob Pilgrim, Global Football Lead, Meta

We’re excited to help fans immerse themselves in football culture this summer through our family of apps.