Learn how to use Apple Intelligence’s ‘Image Playground’

Apple has just released iOS 18.1.1, but it's the upcoming iOS 18.2 update that’s generating excitement, thanks to the introduction of a brand-new feature called “Image Playground.” This new tool, which is part of Apple Intelligence, will allow users to create cartoon-like images from simple text descriptions, making it an exciting addition for those interested in AI-driven creativity.

What is Image Playground?

Image Playground is a unique feature within Apple Intelligence, which encompasses a variety of AI-powered tools designed to enhance user experiences. This specific feature enables users to input a text prompt, and the AI will generate an image with a cartoon-style aesthetic. Whether you want to bring a creative idea to life or have fun generating whimsical artwork, Image Playground promises to make it easier than ever.

You can access Image Playground in two ways. First, you can use the dedicated Image Playground app, which is designed specifically for this feature. Alternatively, you can access it directly through the Messages app by clicking the plus (+) button to the left of the text input box, making it incredibly convenient to generate images within conversations.

The dedicated app is available on your Home Screen and features an icon that looks like a white cat or fox. Some users have speculated that the animal could be another furry creature, but the exact identity remains a bit unclear. Regardless, the app will be easy to spot, and once iOS 18.2 is released, it will provide a fun, new way to explore the creative potential of AI.

Image Playground is set to be one of the most fun and engaging features introduced in iOS 18.2, offering a blend of creativity and AI that’s sure to captivate users. Keep an eye out for the update to start exploring this exciting new tool!

How to Generate Images with Playground

Using Image Playground is simple and user-friendly. Like other image generation tools, you can type a text description of the image you want to create. For example, you might enter a prompt like “a dog blowing out birthday candles on a cake,” and the AI will generate the image for you. If the result isn’t quite what you had in mind, you can refine the description with more details or select one of Apple’s suggested prompts. You'll also be able to swipe through several image options and pick the one that best fits your vision.

In addition to generating images from text, you can upload photos of yourself, your pet, or a family member. The AI can then create an image featuring that photo, adding fun elements like a party hat or a beach backdrop. You also have the option to change the art style to further personalize your creations.

During WWDC24, Apple explained that the new app can generate images in the following three styles: 

• Animation

• Illustration

• Sketch

This will give users new ways of expressing themselves and their ideas across different apps, while also making message communication more fun in the process.

Apple has also created a new Image Playground API, which will give developers a way of embedding AI-powered image generation into their applications.

As mentioned earlier, Image Playground is only part of Apple's broader AI initiative. Apple Intelligence provides users with things such as AI-generated text summaries, advanced Siri functionality, and more.

According to our own research, the company also developed a fourth image style called Line Art. It does not appear that Line Art made it to the final version of the app.

Image Playground features integration with system applications such as Freeform, Keynote, Messages, and Pages. With it, users can create so-called Genmojis along with other types of images.

When Does Image Playground Launch?

Image Playground is currently available as part of the iOS 18.2 public beta. If you're enrolled in Apple's beta software program, you can start using it right away. The official public release of iOS 18.2, including Image Playground, is expected to roll out in December.

Image Playground as an image centre

The Image Playground app is the central point of contact. This is also where you enter your name on the waiting list. Once you have been admitted, you can type in a prompt at the top: ‘Describe an image’. Words or sentences are then sufficient to trigger the image generation. You will then be given several images to choose from, which can take up to half a minute. Image Playground only provides illustrations, sketches and cartoon-like images, although sketches are not yet available. Apple wants to avoid generating deep fakes with photorealistic images. Finally, you can also use Image Playground to alter an existing photo.

Apple also offers various themes for this, including ‘Fantasy’, ‘Adventure’, ‘Disco’ and ‘Summer’. The latter can also be given hats, turned into superheroes or fitted with glasses. Creating text is still problematic - unlike other tools such as Ideogram, Image Playground is usually off the mark here. Image Playground images can also be created from the Messages app.

Image wand and Genmoji

Genmoji is triggered via the emoji keyboard. There is a new ‘rainbow’ symbol to start the editor. You can then prompt this and receive a generative emoji, which you can then send straight away. Interestingly, it also lands on devices without Apple Intelligence and can be saved there.

Finally, Image Wand is a function that brings the image generator known from Image Playground into the Notes app on the iPhone in order to supplement it with images. There is also a new magic wand in the pens section. iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS 15.2 with the image generators should be released before Christmas. According to Apple, it may take several weeks before beta access to Image Wand & Co. is available. However, Apple Intelligence will not be available in the EU until April 2025, although there are tricks you can use to activate the service now.