iOS 26 opens the door to AI-generated anime and custom Genmoji, but there’s a catch
Apple is expanding the creative features in its new software updates, and iOS 26 brings a notable one. With Image Playground, users can now access image styles powered by ChatGPT, including popular ones like anime, oil painting, watercolor, vector, and print. These are the same styles available through ChatGPT 4o, and they join Apple’s existing Animation, Illustration, and Sketch styles.
While Apple didn’t add new styles of its own this time, it did include a flexible „Any Style“ option. This lets users type in a custom description for the kind of image they want, similar to how ChatGPT works. You can create an image from text or upload a photo and have it transformed into a different style. To use the ChatGPT option, you’ll need to allow your iPhone to send the image to ChatGPT’s servers.
This kind of AI-powered image generation has already become a viral trend on social media. Users are turning their selfies into Studio Ghibli characters, Funko Pop figurines, and even Muppet versions of themselves. The trend has taken off as a fun and creative way for friends to share personalized images with each other. These AI makeovers are often posted in comment threads and group chats, quickly spreading as others join in on the trend and try it for themselves.
