iOS 26: Turn Photos Into 3D Spatial Scenes

[MacRumors]

In iOS 26, Apple's Spatial Scenes feature can transform ordinary photos into dynamic, three-dimensional pictures that respond to your movements. By adding depth and subtle motion to flat images, this clever AI-powered feature can bring to life photos in your iPhone's library – and your iPhone doesn't need Apple Intelligence to make use of it.

Spatial Scenes in the Photos App

Spatial Scenes works by intelligently separating subjects from backgrounds in your photos. When you move your iPhone, the foreground elements stay relatively stable while background elements shift slightly. This creates a parallax effect that mimics how your eyes naturally perceive depth.

The feature works using generative AI that analyzes your photos to identify different elements and create depth maps. Importantly, it doesn't require Apple Intelligence to function, meaning Spatial Scenes works on iPhone 12 and newer models.

Unlike spatial photos captured using iPhone 16 models, Spatial Scenes works with virtually any existing photo that has a clear subject. Open any compatible image in the Photos app and look for a small hexagon icon in the upper right corner. Tap this icon, and your photo instantly gains the depth effect.

Once enabled, gently move your phone back and forth to see the spatial effect in action. The movement doesn't need to be dramatic – small tilts and shifts are enough to reveal the added depth.

Lock Screen Spatial Scenes

It's not just the Photos app where Spatial Scenes can be experienced. Your iPhone's Lock Screen wallpaper can have that same engaging depth whenever you glance at the screen.

When you're browsing Lock Screen wallpaper options, iOS automatically suggests photos from your library that are compatible with the feature. And if you manually select a Lock Screen photo that supports Spatial Scenes, you'll see a toggle on the customization screen that lets you enable or disable the effect.

Apple is in the final testing phase for iOS 26, and is expected to roll out a general release in the coming weeks.

Article Link: iOS 26: Turn Photos Into 3D Spatial Scenes

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

Dumb you can’t save them

 

[iMac The Knife]

If someone would've told me twenty years ago that so many in the world would become completely camera obsessed down the road, I never would've believed them. Narcissism is alive and well. What a sad state of affairs...

 

[DrJR]

This is a totally underrated feature IMO. It is one of those “nod yes and smile meme” moments…. Tasteful, delicious and totally Apple thing to do.

 

[Astuces iOS]

Not even on mac… And yes it could with the camera detecting where you are!!!!!!

 

[Kar98]

As useful as the beer drinking app on the OG iPhone.

 

[slippery-pete]

If someone would've told me twenty years ago that so many in the world would become completely camera obsessed down the road, I never would've believed them. Narcissism is alive and well. What a sad state of affairs...

Yeah, your comment makes little to no sense. A person taking pictures on vacation or of a pet...or a family member means they are a narcissist?

🤔

 

[Hank001]

As useful as the beer drinking app on the OG iPhone.

Just like the article itself; no video.

 

[Taq'aix]

It’s too gimmicky. As long as it’s not on par with the girl from the Ring crawling out of the tv then I’m not interested.

 

[Bobajobbob]

Neat gimmick but if I can’t send my wife a 3d picture of my dog having a poop what’s the point?

 

[Selena Agna]

Who needs this nonsense?

I wish Apple would fix their long-standing bugs instead of tacking on ever more useless features.

 

[Kar98]

Just like the article itself; no video.

It’s like those wiggly holographic pictures in the 1970s and 80s. You tilted them this way and that and it seemed like a 3D pic. Neat but useless.

 

[antiprotest]

Will this be available on phones that people actually own or only iPhone 18 and newer because it requires extraterrestrial quantum ultra-dimensional computing power for optimal "user experience"?

 

[Haiku_Oezu]

This is a useless gimmick but I really like it
It even works with illustrations and while it doesn’t always understand what’s supposed to be in front of what it’s a neat thing to enable on your lockscreen to fiddle with when you’re bored

I don’t think a bit of whimsy is a bad thing

 

[cnnyy20p]

Very fun feature indeed!
Will the new iPhone come with 3D display? 👀

 

[Ctrlos]

It sounds really dumb…. Until you use it. It’s utterly pointless but a lot of fun to play around with. With the right images and a good mix of framing it looks amazing.

Once you’ve done it a few times you find yourself actively considering how an image might in spatial before you take it

 

[allseeingi’s]

View attachment 2543757
Very fun feature indeed!
Will the new iPhone come with 3D display? 👀

You’ve just given me motion sickness 🤢🤣

 

[iMac The Knife]

Yeah, your comment makes little to no sense. A person taking pictures on vacation or of a pet...or a family member means they are a narcissist?

🤔

If that was what so many people were taking pictures of, it wouldn't be narcissistic. But alas, that is not the case. Taking pictures of yourself, your dinner, taking videos of yourself, etc. to post on social media is the reason why so many people care about camera quality anymore. I'm not sure it is possible for me to rewrite my OP to make it make more sense than it already does. Like I said before, what a sad state of affairs.

 

[Kar98]

Will this be available on phones that people actually own or only iPhone 18 and newer because it requires extraterrestrial quantum ultra-dimensional computing power for optimal "user experience"?

I have it on my base 16.

 

[svish]

Looks nice. Will definitely try it out once I update my iPhone. Happy with the various Lock Screen options possible this year with iOS 26.

 

[slippery-pete]

If that was what so many people were taking pictures of, it wouldn't be narcissistic. But alas, that is not the case. Taking pictures of yourself, your dinner, taking videos of yourself, etc. to post on social media is the reason why so many people care about camera quality anymore. I'm not sure it is possible for me to rewrite my OP to make it make more sense than it already does. Like I said before, what a sad state of affairs.

That is your opinion "But alas, that is not the case", but that is far from factual. People take photos of many things, not just selfies to post online. That is where, whatever point you are trying to make, gets lost. It's clear, you don't like people taking and posting selfies on social media.


You realize that 93% of all photos taken worldwide are taken by smartphones?? Majority of them are not selfies?

 

[iMac The Knife]

That is your opinion "But alas, that is not the case", but that is far from factual. People take photos of many things, not just selfies to post online. That is where, whatever point you are trying to make, gets lost. It's clear, you don't like people taking and posting selfies on social media.


You realize that 93% of all photos taken worldwide are taken by smartphones?? Majority of them are not selfies?

People today are camera obsessed, that is what I said in my OP. Many of these people are taking pictures of themselves, to the point where companies have to put selfie cameras on all their smartphones to appease them. The people who don't sit around and take selfies all the time aren't narcissistic. Many of the people who are taking countless selfies, perhaps all of them, are narcissists though. There are millions of people out there who are obsessed with taking selfies. I never said that the majority of photos that are taken are selfies. Try making an iPhone without a selfie camera and see how well it sells. Enough said. Again, narcissism is alive and well.