Apple has quietly rolled out its Invites app for iPhone, a fresh and seamless way to create and share custom event invitations with family and friends. While crafting invitations is exclusive to iCloud+ subscribers, responding to them is open to everyone – no Apple account or device is required.
With the Invites app, users can send out event details, track RSVPs, contribute to Shared Albums, and even curate Apple Music playlists to set the perfect mood. Interestingly, Apple never mentioned Invites during its WWDC 2024 keynote, where iOS 18 took centre stage. Now, with little fanfare, Apple has officially launched the app worldwide.
A Smarter Way to Send Invitations
The Invites app, announced via Apple’s newsroom, combines features users already know and love from iPhone, iCloud, and Apple Music to streamline event planning in a way that feels inherently Apple. It’s available for free on the App Store for all iPhones running iOS 18 or later and can also be accessed via icloud.com/invites.
Creating an invitation is as simple as choosing an image from your photo library or Apple’s wallpaper gallery. For those who want a unique, AI-generated touch, Apple Intelligence uses Image Playground to craft custom visuals based on user prompts. Additionally, AI-powered Writing Tools let users refine the wording of their invitations, ensuring they look as polished as they are personal.
Seamless Event Management
The Invites app simplifies hosting by offering intuitive controls. Users can share invitations via a link, track RSVPs, and customise event details, all within the app. Meanwhile, guests can respond through the app or via the web, making it easy for non-Apple users to join in without an iCloud+ subscription.
Beyond invites, Apple enhances the social experience by allowing guests to contribute photos and videos to a Shared Album, ensuring memories from the event are collected in one place. Plus, curated Apple Music playlists tied to each invitation let users set the perfect ambience.
With this addition, Apple continues to enrich the iCloud+ experience, complementing existing features like expanded storage, Private Relay, Hide My Email, HomeKit Secure Video, and custom email domains. While Invites may not have made a splash at WWDC, its practicality and Apple-first design could make it an indispensable tool for digital event planning.
