Apple used WWDC 2026 on Monday to show off a revamped version of Image Playground, its built-in AI image generator.
The app has been available on Apple devices, but the company is now adding more editing tools and expanding how generated images can be used.
Leslie Ikemoto, Apple’s senior director, outlined the changes during the keynote presentation.
New image controls
Apple said users can create a wider range of images, including nature scenes and pictures featuring multiple people from the Photos library.
The app also supports natural language prompts. Users can describe changes they want and adjust images without using manual tools.
Ikemoto said photos processed through Private Cloud Compute are not stored or shared by Apple.
“From stunning nature scenes to fun images using multiple people from your Photos library, you can also transform your photos into endless styles just by describing what you want in natural language, and with private cloud compute, your photos are never stored or shared, even with Apple,” Ikemoto said.
Birthday invitation example
During the presentation, Apple showed how Image Playground could be used to make a birthday invitation.
In the example, a user created an image of a friend holding a cake. Text prompts were then used to make changes.
Those edits included:
- Adding candles to the cake.
- Changing the friend’s outfit.
- Applying different visual styles.
More image formats
Apple is also adding size options.
Users will be able to choose dimensions based on where an image will appear.
Examples shown by Apple included:
- Landscape images for a small business website.
- Portrait images for a flyer.
“You also have more ways to use the images you create, like choosing the right dimensions for what you’re working on, including a landscape image for your small business’s website, or a portrait image for your flyer,” Ikemoto said.
Integrated across Apple devices
Images created with Image Playground can also be used in other parts of Apple’s software.
Apple highlighted several uses:
- Lock screens.
- iMessage backgrounds.
- Contact posters.
- Other built-in features.
The new capabilities are part of Apple’s wider Apple Intelligence updates announced at WWDC 2026. The company demonstrated the features during the keynote, but hands-on access was not immediately available.
TL;DR:
Apple announced upgrades to Image Playground at WWDC 2026. New features include natural language editing, support for different image sizes and deeper integration with Apple devices, while Apple says photos remain private.
AI summary:
- Apple introduced new Image Playground features at WWDC 2026.
- Users can edit images with natural language prompts.
- Apple showed a birthday invitation example during the keynote.
- New size options support websites and flyers.
- Images can be used for lock screens, iMessage backgrounds and contact posters.
