Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple's Invites App Gets More Backgrounds

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
68,609
39,479


Apple today updated its Invites app, adding a new event background options for customizing the look of event invitations that are sent out. Apple says that the added background options are ideal for planning a pool day, drinks with friends, or a watch party for the big game.

General-Apple-Invites-Feature.jpg

There are several new backgrounds in the "Photographic" section, including clouds, a lime slice in soda water, lemon slices in punch, a frosty beer, watermelon slices, a pool inner tube, a disco ball, orchid flowers, bamboo shoots, a zoomed in shot of a chrysanthemum, a colorful set of pickleballs, tennis balls, footballs, soccer balls, basketballs, golf balls, a beach with clear water, a green bokeh background, brocade fabric, grass, colorful flowers, rainbow sparkles, a multi-colored light pattern, and champagne glasses.

apple-invites-app-backgrounds.jpg

Apple launched the Invites app back in February, and this is the second update the app has received. In May, Apple added the option to include links in event invitations.

Invites is an event planning app that supports creating custom invitations with unique background images, fonts, and relevant information like directions and the weather. It also has easy-to-use event managing and RSVP tools.

While Invites is free, it is an iCloud+ service, so an iCloud+ subscription is required to create an event. iCloud+ plans are priced starting at $0.99 per month, and they include additional iCloud storage and features like Private Relay.

Though an iCloud+ subscription is needed for creating an event, anyone can RSVP to an invitation, including those without iPhones.

The Invites app can be downloaded from the App Store. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Apple's Invites App Gets More Backgrounds
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/06/24/apple-invites-background-update/
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: decypher44, Siriosys, Apple Knowledge Navigator and 1 other person
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Apple Revolutionizes the Digital Calendar… Again​

Invites App Now Features Even More Backgrounds, Because That's What You Asked For

CUPERTINO, California — June 24, 2025 — Apple® today proudly announced a groundbreaking update to its beloved Invites™ app: more backgrounds. Yes, you read that correctly. While the world grapples with AI, climate change, and the ethical implications of sentient robots, we at Apple have been laser-focused on what really matters — letting you pick between Pastel Bubbles and Gentle Mountains when sending your dentist a calendar invite.

“We’re thrilled to bring our users what they’ve clearly been demanding in every forum, blog, and obscure corner of the internet,” said Linda Cheng, VP of Background Innovation. “More. Backgrounds. We’ve pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in flat JPEG aesthetics.”

The update includes an awe-inspiring seven new static backgrounds, each meticulously curated by an elite team of Apple designers working in dimly lit rooms with reclaimed wood desks. Themes include:

  • Corporate Confetti – For when you’re pretending to enjoy work events.
  • Serene Fog – For that 9AM therapy appointment vibe.
  • Vibrant Gradient v12 – Like the old gradient, but slightly more smug.
Apple’s design philosophy has always been about minimalism, restraint, and adding 3–5 things people didn’t ask for. These new backgrounds perfectly embody that vision.

Availability
The new Invites backgrounds will roll out gradually, starting today — because if there’s one thing better than new features, it’s delayed gratification.

For more information, visit apple.com/invites-backgrounds-but-not-really.

About Apple
Apple is a company that makes phones, computers, and occasionally remembers that people use calendars. With over two trillion dollars in market cap and unlimited potential to change the world, we chose to change wallpapers instead.
 
  • Haha
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: jonnysods, appleunderpants, HighwaySnowman and 7 others
vegetassj4 said:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Apple Revolutionizes the Digital Calendar… Again​

Invites App Now Features Even More Backgrounds, Because That's What You Asked For

CUPERTINO, California — June 24, 2025 — Apple® today proudly announced a groundbreaking update to its beloved Invites™ app: more backgrounds. Yes, you read that correctly. While the world grapples with AI, climate change, and the ethical implications of sentient robots, we at Apple have been laser-focused on what really matters — letting you pick between Pastel Bubbles and Gentle Mountains when sending your dentist a calendar invite.

“We’re thrilled to bring our users what they’ve clearly been demanding in every forum, blog, and obscure corner of the internet,” said Linda Cheng, VP of Background Innovation. “More. Backgrounds. We’ve pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in flat JPEG aesthetics.”

The update includes an awe-inspiring seven new static backgrounds, each meticulously curated by an elite team of Apple designers working in dimly lit rooms with reclaimed wood desks. Themes include:

  • Corporate Confetti – For when you’re pretending to enjoy work events.
  • Serene Fog – For that 9AM therapy appointment vibe.
  • Vibrant Gradient v12 – Like the old gradient, but slightly more smug.
Apple’s design philosophy has always been about minimalism, restraint, and adding 3–5 things people didn’t ask for. These new backgrounds perfectly embody that vision.

Availability
The new Invites backgrounds will roll out gradually, starting today — because if there’s one thing better than new features, it’s delayed gratification.

For more information, visit apple.com/invites-backgrounds-but-not-really.

About Apple
Apple is a company that makes phones, computers, and occasionally remembers that people use calendars. With over two trillion dollars in market cap and unlimited potential to change the world, we chose to change wallpapers instead.
Click to expand...
Can't tell if this is fully AI written or not...either way, pretty dog gone hilarious.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HighwaySnowman
MacRumors said:


Apple today updated its Invites app, adding a new event background options for customizing the look of event invitations that are sent out. Apple says that the added background options are ideal for planning a pool day, drinks with friends, or a watch party for the big game.

General-Apple-Invites-Feature.jpg

There are several new backgrounds in the "Photographic" section, including clouds, a lime slice in soda water, lemon slices in punch, a frosty beer, watermelon slices, a pool inner tube, a disco ball, orchid flowers, bamboo shoots, a zoomed in shot of a chrysanthemum, a colorful set of pickleballs, tennis balls, footballs, soccer balls, basketballs, golf balls, a beach with clear water, a green bokeh background, brocade fabric, grass, colorful flowers, rainbow sparkles, a multi-colored light pattern, and champagne glasses.

apple-invites-app-backgrounds.jpg

Apple launched the Invites app back in February, and this is the second update the app has received. In May, Apple added the option to include links in event invitations.

Invites is an event planning app that supports creating custom invitations with unique background images, fonts, and relevant information like directions and the weather. It also has easy-to-use event managing and RSVP tools.

While Invites is free, it is an iCloud+ service, so an iCloud+ subscription is required to create an event. iCloud+ plans are priced starting at $0.99 per month, and they include additional iCloud storage and features like Private Relay.

Though an iCloud+ subscription is needed for creating an event, anyone can RSVP to an invitation, including those without iPhones.

The Invites app can be downloaded from the App Store. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Apple's Invites App Gets More Backgrounds
Click to expand...
An App I’ve never once used and I’m somehow left wondering why Apple couldn’t prioritise more pressing matters such as bug fixing their soon-to-be OS26.

But then the irony of my reasoning is that I’ve determined just how crap my social life is!
 
  • Like
Reactions: HighwaySnowman and dustin_
Those new backgrounds sound perfect for all kinds of events-pool parties, game days, or just hanging out with friends. It’s cool that Apple keeps adding fresh ways to make invites look more fun and personal. Plus, having easy RSVP tools and weather info right there makes planning way simpler. Too bad you need iCloud+ to create events, but at least anyone can RSVP, even if they don’t have an iPhone.
 
I tried to use this tool to organize a major birthday celebration recently. I ended up not using it because for invitees to reply, they have to have or register for an account. The steps to getting people to reply creates a LOT of friction that is resolved via simple email invitations in which a person just replies YES, NO. The Invites app is terribly complicated. I think Apple should throw out this app and go back to the drawing board.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: artifex, decypher44, Oblivious.Robot and 4 others
msackey said:
I tried to use this tool to organize a major birthday celebration recently. I ended up not using it because for invitees to reply, they have to have or register for an account. The steps to getting people to reply creates a LOT of friction that is resolved via simple email invitations in which a person just replies YES, NO. The Invites app is terribly complicated. I think Apple should throw out this app and go back to the drawing board.
Click to expand...
This was my experience as well. I set it up, invited people. And no one used it because they had to signup/log in. Most didn't understand what was happening, and the others just didn't want to log in/sign up for this weird thing.

Other services work much more seamlessly.
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: decypher44, somethingelsefl, Oblivious.Robot and 5 others
VPrime said:
This was my experience as well. I set it up, invited people. And no one used it because they had to signup/log in. Most didn't understand what was happening, and the others just didn't want to log in/sign up for this weird thing.

Other services work much more seamlessly.
Click to expand...
I know, right?? Like, WHY is this Apple app so so so so so clunky? There are other existing services that are so much easier to use!

I get that perhaps for some very secret, special, or very private event you want to have all sorts of security measures like Invite has. Fine. But then, don't set that up as the default. Have all those security measures as a possible option, not the rule.

Apple's Invite app is a very frustrating program to use.

The party I was organizing is a family member's 95th birthday party. All of the invitees do use email, but are also VERY old and not the most technologically savvy. If I had used Invite, almost none of them would have been able to figure out how to reply with a simple YES or NO. I ended up simply emailing the invitees and manually recording their responses. Can you tell I'm still kinda furious about Invites? LOL. It's such a stupid program. It couldn't be clunkier than it is now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NoGood@Usernames and mansplains
msackey said:
I tried to use this tool to organize a major birthday celebration recently. I ended up not using it because for invitees to reply, they have to have or register for an account. The steps to getting people to reply creates a LOT of friction that is resolved via simple email invitations in which a person just replies YES, NO. The Invites app is terribly complicated. I think Apple should throw out this app and go back to the drawing board.
Click to expand...
“If at first you don’t succeed, give up”
 
I had just read this article when I came across this on Facebook. It would be the perfect opportunity to use this app. Amputation party/event.

IMG_6688.png
 
  • Disagree
Reactions: clg82
vegetassj4 said:
“We’re thrilled to bring our users what they’ve clearly been demanding in every forum, blog, and obscure corner of the internet,” said Linda Cheng, VP of Background Innovation. “More. Backgrounds. We’ve pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in flat JPEG aesthetics.”

The update includes an awe-inspiring seven new static backgrounds, each meticulously curated by an elite team of Apple designers working in dimly lit rooms with reclaimed wood desks.
Click to expand...
😂
 
I tried it and it's a total fiasco. So hard to use and understand. What happened to the mantra of a computer for the rest of us? Steve would never have released this POS software.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back