Apple has introduced a new app for iPhone that helps users create custom invitations to gather friends and family for any occasion. Apple Invites enables users to create and easily share invitations, RSVP, contribute to Shared Albums, and engage with Apple Music playlists.
Apple Invites, which was codenamed ‘Confetti’ while in development, can be downloaded from the App Store, or used on the web through icloud.com/invites. You’ll need an iCloud+ subscription (starting at $1.49 per month) to create invitations but anyone can RSVP whether or not they have an Apple Account or Apple device.
It’s important to note that users will need an iCloud+ account to use Invites and an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence to use all the features. That limits it to an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPhone 16. Assuming the upcoming iPhone SE 4 supports Apple Intelligence it should be able to delver the full Apple Invites experience.
One can’t help but be a little cynical as Apple is now adding apps that require Apple Intelligence and an iCloud subscription. This single-handedly encourages upgrading to a compatible iPhone and subscribing to iCloud+. Given Apple’s recent earning report, this gives the company a boost in two key areas it has been targeting.
To start using Apple Invites, users can choose an image from their photo library or from the app’s gallery of curated collection of images representing different occasions and event themes. The app integrates with Maps and Weather to give guests directions to the event and the forecast for that day.
Participants can easily contribute photos and videos to a dedicated Shared Album within each invite to help preserve memories and relive the event. And subscribers to an event can add music, if they are Apple Music subscribers, to create a curated event soundtrack that can be accessed within Apple Invites.
Invites uses Apple Intelligence with images and text created using Image Playground and Writing Tools.
Event hosts can easily view and manage their events, share invitations with a link, review RSVPs, and choose the details they want included in the preview, like the event background or a home address. Guests can view and respond to an invitation using the new iPhone app or on the web without needing an iCloud+ subscription or an Apple Account. Attendees control how their details show up to others, and have the ability to leave or report an event at any time.
Apple Invites is available today as a free download from the App Store for all iPhone models running iOS 18 or later, and can be accessed on the web at icloud.com/invites.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.