More than a month after releasing iOS 18.1, Apple launched iOS 18.2 on December 11. All iPhones now have a few new capabilities thanks to the most recent update, including a revamped Mail app and the ability to exchange AirTag data with airline employees. Along with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, it also adds new Apple Intelligence capabilities to the iPhone 16 series. Additionally, a new software called Image Playground will be available to you if you own one of those iPhones.
See also: Your Cheat Sheet for iOS 18
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This software creates unique photos on your iPhone by using Apple Intelligence. You may either provide your own description of a picture and have your iPhone produce it, or you can choose from a list of recommended prompts.
What you should know about iOS 18.2’s Image Playground. Be aware that you must request Apple Intelligence for your iPhone before you can use it. To do this, choose Get Apple Intelligence under Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri.
On my iPhone, where is Image Playground?
The Image Playground Apple/Screenshot by CNET app icon
Image Playground will appear on your home screen as a new app if your iPhone is running iOS 18.2. The emblem resembles a cat in a bubble of soap.
Image Playground is now available in Messages. Here’s how.
First, open messages.
2. Enter a chat window.
3. Next to your text box, tap the addition (+) sign.
4. Select Image Playground.
What is the operation of Image Playground?
Image Playground works similarly to other AI image producers and makes use of Apple Intelligence on your iPhone. After the program launches, you may either choose recommendations or provide a description of the picture you want to generate in the text field. (See CNET’s expert image prompting guide.)
However, you can’t utilize too many descriptions or recommended suggestions. A maximum of six descriptions and recommendations may be used simultaneously. Image Playground begins substituting more recent recommendations with older ones as you attempt to utilize more. Too many adjectives or recommendations might result in a notice that reads, “Try fewer concepts.” At any point throughout the design process, you may also add or delete these recommended questions and descriptions.
A menu that lets you alter the Image Playground image’s look
Apple/CNET Screenshot
Additionally, you may use a picture from your library to make an image. Select Choose Photo after tapping the addition (+) icon in the app’s lower right corner. This will enable you to utilize one of your own photos as an Image Playground inspiration. Additionally, you may take a picture by tapping Take Photo, which will utilize your newly taken photo.
You may also choose the style in which your picture will be created by tapping the addition (+) sign in the app’s lower right corner. There are two styles available: Illustration, which is more flat and cartoony, and Animation, which is the default and resembles a 3D picture. In the future, Apple may offer additional styles.
Additionally, a created human may be added to these pictures. You may create people to add to your photos by tapping the silhouette of a person in Image Playground’s lower-right corner and then tapping Appearance twice.
When you’re satisfied with the picture, save it to the app by tapping Done in the upper-right corner.
All of your saved photos will be in one location when you open Image Playground again. To create a new picture, tap the addition (+) sign at the bottom of the screen.
Is it possible to modify created pictures in Image Playground after they have been saved?
You may go back and make more edits to a picture you’ve made in the app. To alter a produced picture, open the app, touch it, and then choose alter from the menu in the lower-right corner. You may alter the art style, input a different description, or choose additional choices.
Will a picture always be created via picture Playground?
Yes, technically speaking, it will always create an image. It’s another matter entirely if it’s what you’re searching for. I received a picture of a kitchen with a volcano growing on the countertop after entering the prompts “chef,” “bowtie,” and “volcano.” Unfortunately, neither a chef nor a bowtie were seen; maybe the volcano captured them?
An artificial intelligence-generated picture of a kitchen with a volcano
Apple/CNET Screenshot
In the future, Apple is probably going to keep improving Image Playground, so maybe the photos will better fit your descriptions. Meanwhile, we have volcanoes in the kitchen.
For further information about iOS 18, see What to Know About Mail Categories, How to Make Custom Emoji with Genmoji, and What to Know About iOS 18.2. Check out our iOS 18 cheat sheet as well.