Create original images with Image Playground on Mac
In the Image Playground app, you can use Apple Intelligence* to combine concepts, text descriptions and people from your photo library to create stylised images within seconds. You can also use Image Playground to create images in Messages, Freeform and more.
Note: Image Playground is an Apple Intelligence feature available in macOS 15.2 or later on Mac models with M1 or later. To check whether Apple Intelligence is available for your device and language, see the Apple Support article Apple Intelligence requirements.
Create an image
You can combine up to seven elements to create original images.
Go to the Image Playground app
on your Mac.Click
, then do any of the following:Create an image from a concept: Click a concept — a suggestion, theme, costume, accessory or place.
Create an image from a description: Click the “Describe an image” field, enter a description, then press Return.
Create an image of a person: Click the Person button, then choose a person from your photo library.
To add a person from Photos, you need to name them in the Photos app. See Find and name photos of people and pets. If you provide a description that’s different to the image you use — for example, the name in Photos doesn’t match the name in your description — your image is personalised based on the photo you selected rather than the text description.
Tip: You can also create an image of a person without using a photo from your library. Click the Person button, click Appearance, choose a skin tone and appearance setting, then click Done.
Create an image based on a photo, such as an image of a pet, nature or food: Click
, then click Choose Photo or Take Photo.Change the image style: Click the Style button, then click Animation or Illustration.
Note: Changing the image style creates a new set of previews.
To see variations of an image, click
and 
on either side of the image.When you’re happy with your image, click Done in the top-right corner to save it to your gallery.
To view the image in your gallery, click
.
Tip: Click 
or 
to rate an image. Your ratings help improve the Image Playground experience.
In addition to using the Image Playground app, you can also use Image Playground features to create original images in apps like Freeform and Messages. See Create and send original images in Messages and Create original images in Freeform.
Edit or refine your image
Go to the Image Playground app
on your Mac.In the gallery, Control-click an image, then choose Edit.
Do any of the following:
Add a concept: Click a suggested concept.
Click Show More, then click
to see Themes, Costumes, Accessories and Places.Add a description: Click the “Describe an image” field, enter a description, then press Return.
Add an image of a person: Click the Person button, then choose a person from your photo library.
To add a person or pet from Photos, you need to name them in the Photos app. See Find and name photos of people and pets. If you provide a description that’s different to the image you use — for example, the name in Photos doesn’t match the name in your description — your image is personalised based on the photo you selected rather than the text description.
Tip: You can also add an image of a person without using a photo from your library. Click the Person button, click Appearance, choose a skin tone and appearance setting, then click Done.
Edit an image of a person: If you already added a person and you want to change the image, click the Person button, click Edit, choose a new starting point, then click Done.
To change the appearance, click the Person button, click Edit, make adjustments, then click Done.
Add a photo — such as an image of a pet, nature or food: Click
, then choose an option.Change the image style: Click the Style button, then click Animation or Illustration.
Note: Changing the image style creates a new set of previews.
Remove a concept: Click
. If you don’t see , click the image in the centre.
When you’re happy with your image, click Done in the top-right corner to save it to your gallery.
If you’re editing a previously saved image, you’re asked if you want to update it or save it as a new image.
To view the image in your gallery, click
.
Copy, share or save an image
Go to the Image Playground app
on your Mac.Do one of the following:
Create an image, click
, then choose Copy, Share or Save.Control-click an image in the Image Playground gallery, then choose Copy or Share.
Delete an image
Note: If you delete an image from Image Playground, it’s deleted on all your devices where you’re signed in to the same Apple Account.
Go to the Image Playground app
on your Mac.Control-click an image in the gallery, then choose Delete.
Click Delete.
Create and send original images in Messages
You can create images with Image Playground directly in the Messages app.
Go to the Messages app
on your Mac.Start a new message or select a conversation.
Click
to the left of the message field, then click 
.Do one of the following:
Select an image you previously created: Click the image.
Create a new image: Click
. See Create an image.
When you’re ready to send your image, press Return.
Create original images in Freeform
You can create images with Image Playground directly in the Freeform app.
Go to the Freeform app
on your Mac.Open a board or create a new one.
Do one of the following:
Create a new image: Click
in the toolbar, choose Image Playground, then create an image.Use elements from your board: Select up to seven images, drawings, text boxes, stickies or shapes, Control-click them, then choose Add to Playground.
Click Done to add the image to your board.
To block access to image creation features like Image Playground, see Block access to image creation features.