Apple updates Image Playground to improve AI image results in iOS 27

In short: Apple says its Image Playground feature will make better AI-generated images and offer more ways to use and edit them when iOS 27 arrives this fall.

What happened

Apple used its WWDC 2026 event to announce updates to Image Playground, its built-in tool for generating images on iPhone. Image Playground is part of Apple Intelligence, Apple’s set of AI features on its devices.

Apple said the updated Image Playground will let people create images in different styles by typing what they want in normal, everyday language. For example, you could make a birthday invitation image of a friend holding a cake, then ask the tool to add candles or change the outfit.

Apple also said you will have more control over image sizes, so you can pick the right shape for what you are making. That includes wide landscape images for a website or tall portrait images for a flyer.

The company says Image Playground is integrated across the device, so you can use it for things like lock screens, iMessage backgrounds, and contact posters.

Apple also highlighted its privacy approach. It said that with “private cloud compute” (Apple-run servers that process some requests), your photos are not stored or shared, including with Apple.

Why it matters

Many people avoid AI image tools because the results can look weird, and because they worry about what happens to their personal photos. Apple is trying to address both concerns, by improving quality and by promising stronger privacy rules. If the updates work as described, more people may actually use the built-in tool instead of downloading a separate app.

Source: TechCrunch AI