iOS 18.2 adds a new app to the iPhone: What Image Plaground is and how to use it

With the arrival of iOS 18.2 comes a novelty that changes the way we interact with images: Image Playground. This new application, which appears directly on our home screen after updating, allows us to create images like never before. A simple tool, fully integrated and with the magical capability of Apple Intelligence to create any image we can imagine in seconds. What exactly is Image Playground, and how can we make the most of it? Let’s talk about all of it.

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What is Image Playground and what can we do with it?

Image Playground is an application that allows us to create custom images from text descriptions, photos from our photo library, or even ideas suggested by the system. The most interesting part is that the entire process is carried out directly on our iPhone, without relying on cloud connections or external services. This means we can generate as many images as we want and try out everything that comes to mind, always with the privacy that Apple guarantees in all its tools.

Image Playground is not just a standalone app; its technology is also integrated into other applications within the Apple ecosystem, such as Messages, Keynote, Pages, and even Freeform. This allows us to use our creations in projects, presentations, or simply to send them directly to friends and family.

The application offers us two main styles for our creations: Animation and Illustration. Here, the possibility of using our own photos as a base for creations stands out. We can select an image from our library and customize it with themes, costumes, and accessories, achieving unique and, above all, very original results. Do we want to see ourselves as astronauts in space? Or perhaps imagine our pet on a paradisiacal beach? With Image Playground, everything is possible and, moreover, very easy to do.

How to use Image Playground on our iPhone

Starting to use Image Playground is as simple as opening the app. The interface is really intuitive and with few options, allowing us to create images in just a couple of steps. Exactly, we will do it like this:

1. We open the Image Playground app on our iPhone or iPad.
2. We tap the “+” or “Create image” button to start a new project.
3. We choose one of the available options: a) We write a text description of the image we want to generate; b) We select a photo from our library as a base; or c) We view the suggestions of themes, accessories, places, or styles offered by the app.
4. We select the visual style we want: Animation or Illustration.
5. The app will generate several options in a few seconds. We can swipe to see them all and select the one we like the most. As we swipe to new creations, more will be generated.
6. We tap “Save” to add the image to our library or send it directly from the app.

The customization options are vast. From accessories like hats and glasses to specific themes like adventure or fantasy, Image Playground inspires us with suggestions selected by Apple editors. Even if we don’t know where to start, we always have fresh ideas to explore. Don’t see what we’re looking for? The text field is there for us to add anything we want.

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With Image Playground and Apple Intelligence—which already has an official release date in Europe—iOS 18.2 introduces us to a tool that combines creativity, simplicity, and privacy, all in one place. A fantastic example of how Apple uses artificial intelligence to enhance our daily experience, without invading our privacy or complicating what we already know. Now, creating personalized images is not only easier than ever but also more fun.