Apple launched iOS 18.2 in December, more than a month after it released iOS 18.1. The most recent update provides a number of new capabilities to all iPhones, including a revamped Mail app and the ability to exchange AirTag information with airline employees. It also adds new Apple Intelligence features to the iPhone 16 series, as well as the iPhone 15 Pro and Max. If you have one of those iPhones, you’ll receive a new app called Image Playground.
Read More: iOS 18 Cheat Sheet
This app leverages Apple Intelligence to create personalized graphics on your iPhone. You can input your own description of an image or select from a list of recommended questions.
Your iPhone will make the picture.
Here’s all you need know about Image Playground on iOS 18.2. It is important to note that you must first obtain Apple Intelligence for your iPhone before using it. To do so, navigate to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and then press Get Apple Intelligence.
Where is the Image Playground on my iPhone?
Image Playground’s app icon (Apple/CNET screenshot)
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If your iPhone is compatible with iOS 18.2, Image Playground will appear on your home screen as a new app. The symbol looks like
A cat within a soap bubble.
You may also use Image Playground in Messages. Here is how.
1. Open Messages.
2. Engage in a discussion.
3. Select the plus (+) icon next to the text field.
4. Select Image Playground.
How Does Image Playground Work?
Image Playground leverages Apple Intelligence on your iPhone and functions similarly to other AI image creators. When you start the program, you may provide a description of the image you wish to generate in the text box or select one of the recommendations. (See CNET’s guide to expert image prompting.)
However, you cannot utilize too many recommended prompts or adjectives. You can only apply up to six ideas and descriptions at once. If you try to utilize more, Image Playground begins replacing older
Replace previous recommendations with fresh ones. If you include too many recommendations or adjectives, you may receive a notice stating, “Try fewer concepts.” You may also add and delete these recommended questions and descriptions at any point during the construction process.
A menu where you may customize the style of the Image Playground image.
Apple/screenshot via CNET
You may also generate a picture based on a photo from your Library. Tap the addition (+) icon in the lower right corner of the app, then select Choose Photo. This allows you to use one of your own photographs as inspiration for Image Playground. You may also snap a photo by tapping snap Photo, and the new image will be utilized.
If you tap on the plus (+) sign
In the bottom right corner of the program, you may also select the style in which your image will be generated. There are two styles to select from: the default Animation, which seems like a 3D image, and Illustration, which is more flat and cartoonish. Apple may offer additional designs in the future.
There’s also the option to add a created human to these photographs. hit the silhouette of a person in the bottom-right corner of Image Playground, then hit Appearance twice to produce individuals for your photographs.
Once you’re satisfied with the image, press Done in the app’s top-right corner to save it.
When you open Image Playground again, you will see all of your stored images.
Images in one location. To create a new image, tap the addition (+) sign at the bottom of the screen.
Can I use my own photos in Image Playground?
Yes, you may use your own images to create an AI-generated image. When you’re making a new image in Image Playground, press the plus (+) sign in the bottom right corner of the page, then choose a photo from your Library or capture a new picture with your Camera. Then, you may describe the image or choose a question. Swipe through the created photos until you find one you like, then press Done in the top-right corner of the app to save the image.
Go to the app.
Can I alter created photos in Image Playground once they’ve been saved?
You may return to an image you’ve made in the app and make further edits. Open the app, choose the produced picture you wish to change, and then press change in the bottom-right corner of the screen. You can choose further options, provide a new description, or alter the art style.
Will Image Playground always create an image?
In a technical sense, sure, it will always produce a picture. It’s unclear whether this is what you’re searching for. Entering the prompts “chef,” “bowtie,” and “volcano” produced a picture of a kitchen with a volcano growing on the tabletop. Unfortunately, there was no chef or bowtie in sight—
Perhaps the volcano got them?
An AI produced image of a kitchen with a volcano in it.
Apple is expected to continue to enhance Image Playground in the future, so photos should better match your descriptions. Meanwhile, we have kitchen volcanoes.
For additional information about iOS 18, see What to Know about iOS 18.2, How to Create Custom Emoji with Genmoji, and What to Know About Mail Categories. You may also view our iOS 18 cheat sheet.