At WWDC 2026, Apple revamped its Image Playground generative AI, upgrading it from cartoonish styles to photorealistic output powered by Private Cloud Compute. Users can refine images through text prompts or by tapping, circling, or brushing areas they want to change. All generated or edited images carry a hidden SynthID watermark and can be used across Messages, Lock Screens, Contact Posters, and more.

• Apple's Image Playground now generates photorealistic images instead of just cartoonish/emoji styles, powered by Private Cloud Compute
• Editing happens in place via text prompts or tapping/circling/brushing specific areas, no need to restart the image
• Every AI-generated or edited image gets a hidden SynthID watermark to mark it as machine-made
• The tool extends beyond Messages to Lock Screens, Contact Posters, and other system graphics, shipping with macOS 27, iOS 27, and iPadOS 27