Apple is revamping Image Playground with ChatGPT integration to fix its rocky start. The AI image app launched last year with big claims but hit backlash for generating low-quality, odd images—like a six-fingered hand—and struggling with simple prompts like “old man” or “flower.” Users called it limited, childish, and generally useless compared to other AI image tools.
Soon after, some users even questioned the app’s point altogether, though a few found it fun.
At WWDC 2025, Apple confirmed a new version tied to ChatGPT. The update will let users create images in new styles like Oil Painting, Watercolor, Vector, Anime, and Print. There’s also an “Any Style” option that lets users describe exactly what they want. These options sit under a “ChatGPT style” banner in the app. 
Previously, Image Playground only offered Animation, Illustration, Sketch, and Genmoji styles.
Apple says it sends users’ descriptions to ChatGPT for image generation—but won’t share data without permission.
The upgrade aims to make Image Playground a stronger contender against free AI image creators by offering more polish and variety. It makes sense as Apple has already linked ChatGPT to Siri and built-in writing tools across iOS, like Notes and Mail.
The updated Image Playground will launch with iOS 26 this fall.
Image Credits: Apple
