iOS 18.2 brings Image Playground to iPhone — here's how it works

iOS 18.2 has brought us enhanced Apple Intelligence features, a redesigned Mail experience, and integration with ChatGPT. But there's one addition that's got me particularly excited — Image Playground, Apple's answer to AI image generation. As someone who's spent countless hours tinkering with Midjourney and DALL-E, I was curious to see how Apple would approach creative AI.

Rather than trying to compete directly with the best AI image generators, Apple has done what it does best — created something that feels intuitive and distinctly Apple-like. Image Playground is available across your iPhone apps, making AI image generation feel less like a separate tool and more like a natural extension of your phone.

While the feature is currently in beta, I've been playing around with Image Playground, and it's already showing promise. The ability to generate and edit AI art directly on your iPhone, without switching between apps or devices could be a game-changer for digital artists and casual creators alike. Let's dive into how to use Image Playground.

1. Launch Image Playground

Image Playground is a new app that appears once you've upgraded to iOS 18.2 on your iPhone. Open Image Playground from your home screen or app library.

2. Select your style

Choose between Animation or Illustration. Each option offers different visual approaches — Animation tends toward more playful, dynamic results, while Illustration creates more detailed and artistic images. You can also choose from a variety of themes.

3. Craft your prompt

To guide the AI, enter detailed descriptions. It's important to note that the more detail you provide, the better your results will be, so be as specific as possible.

4. Enjoy your creation!

Once you're happy with your image, click Done. Enjoy exploring how AI is making your iPhone more creative every day. This feature is one more way your iPhone is becoming smarter — and more fun to use.

Now that you've learned how to use Image Playground, why not explore some more iOS 18 features? If you're looking to tame your inbox, learn how Apple Intelligence can summarize all your emails. For help with documents and messages, Writing Tools is one of Apple Intelligence's most useful features. And for less well-known features, check out how to use some of the new formatting tools in OS 18 Notes.