iOS 26 brings new kinds to the Picture Playground utility.
Whereas iOS 26 is comparatively gentle by way of Apple Intelligence upgrades, Picture Playground was one of many few apps that acquired a worthwhile enhancement. Here is how.
On June 9, at its annual Worldwide Builders’ Convention, Apple unveiled its newest assortment of working techniques, all of which characteristic the corporate’s new design language often called Liquid Glass. The software program updates, which had been rolled out as developer betas on Monday, launched solely a handful of Apple Intelligence upgrades, and so they largely construct upon the options launched in 2024.
There is a new Basis Fashions framework that lets builders use Apple Intelligence instruments for third-party apps, Visible Intelligence now works with screenshots, and Shortcuts had been made extra helpful than ever. Picture Playground acquired a equally helpful enhancement at WWDC 2025, within the type of extra picture kinds, powered by ChatGPT.
There’s even a further choice labeled “Any Type,” which helps you to specify the model of the picture by textual content. This can be utilized to, for instance, create photos within the model of a specific artist or ones that resemble present franchises and codecs. With it, you may create customized photos for occasions, like a poster for a child bathe with a sensible depiction of a stork.
Picture Playground in iOS 26 options ChatGPT-powered picture kinds.
Particularly, iOS 26 delivers 5 totally new picture kinds with the assistance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT:
- Anime
- Oil Portray
- Vector
- Watercolor
ChatGPT has fewer restrictions relative to the usual model of Picture Playground, which is powered solely by Apple Intelligence. Consequently, it could be attainable to generate copyrighted or objectionable content material by identified ChatGPT-related workarounds. You may additionally see a warning earlier than any photos are shared with ChatGPT.
Nevertheless, the brand new ChatGPT picture kinds understandably require ChatGPT tokens. In apply, because of this you are restricted to at least one or two photos, until you go for a paid ChatGPT subscription. ChatGPT performance in iOS was beforehand restricted to textual content, through the Writing Instruments characteristic.
Picture Playground, identified throughout improvement as Generative Playground, beforehand allow you to use generative AI to create photos in certainly one of three Apple-approved kinds:
- Animation
- Illustration
- Sketch
Apple’s preliminary batch of picture kinds is powered by Apple Intelligence and is accessible offline, as on-device processing is used for picture era. These three kinds had been obtainable in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. Apple additionally had plans for a fourth model often called “Line Artwork,” which was sadly by no means launched.
Picture Playground can also be free to make use of, however the brand new ChatGPT-powered kinds would require a ChatGPT subscription for those who plan to generate a number of photos.
Genmoji allows you to modify facial expressions and hairstyles in iOS 26.
Additionally associated to picture era, Genmoji acquired an replace with iOS 26. Apple’s newest model of the iPhone working system allows you to mix a number of emoji characters to make a wholly new Genmoji creation. You can too use text-based descriptions with present emoji characters to create Genmoji.
For those who’re making a Genmoji of your pal, iOS 26 now allows you to modify the facial features or coiffure. You’ll be able to even select whether or not or not the Genmoji could have facial hair or glasses, due to the added look customization choices.
Along with the brand new Genmoji and Picture Playground options, Apple has created a devoted Picture Playground API that builders can use for his or her functions. General, iOS 26 consists of a wide range of completely different options, together with Reside Translation, a new “Clear” look for the Dwelling Display screen, and extra.
