Apple has just made event planning much easier with a brand-new app called Invites. Available globally, the Invites app lets you create and share beautiful event invitations right from your iPhone to streamline event coordination. Keep reading to learn everything you need about Apple’s Invites app.
How does the Apple Invites app work?
With the Invites app, you get a polished and integrated way to create and share custom invitations. But in typical Apple fashion, there’s a catch: only users with an active iCloud+ subscription can create and share an invite. On the other hand, anybody can RSVP to the received invitations regardless of whether they have an Apple Account or an Apple device.
Once invitees RSVP, they can start contributing photos to the Shared Album, collaborate on an Apple Music playlist, and even get event details synced with the Calendar app for easy tracking.
Key features of the Apple Invites app
Apple’s Invites app packs several features. Here are a few noteworthy ones:
- Custom invitations: iCloud+ subscribers can design and send personalized event invitations with custom backgrounds using photos available in their library, a set of specialized backgrounds available exclusively within the app, or images produced via Image Playground.
- Cross-platform RSVP: While only iCloud+ subscribers can create event invites, invitees can RSVP even if they don’t have an Apple Account or device.
- Shared Albums & Apple Music playlists: Guests can contribute photos to a Shared Album and collaborate on Apple Music playlists linked to the event to help preserve memories and relive the event.
- Integration with Apple Calendar: Not only do the events automatically sync with the Calendar app on the organizer’s iPhone but also on the invitee’s iPhones if they RSVP for better organization.
How to create and RSVP an event invitation
First and foremost, make sure you have an iOS 18 supported iPhone and that it is updated to the latest version, as it is the primary requirement to download the Invites app from the App Store. Now, even if you have installed the Invites app on your supported iPhone, you can’t create and share an invite unless you have an active iCloud+ subscription.
Considering you have an active subscription, creating an event invite is easy. Open the Invites app and hit the Create an Invite button. Give your event a title, set its date and time, add guests, an event description, and the location where the event is set to take place.
You can customize the invitation background to make it stand out; you can add a photo from your library or choose one from the curated set of themed backgrounds exclusive to the app. If neither of these options suits your fancy, you can use the built-in Image Playground experience to generate original background images using the power of Apple Intelligence.
Furthermore, if you are not good at writing descriptions yourself, Apple Intelligence Writing Tools can help you get a phrase that perfectly suits the event.
Once all this is done, hit the send button.
How to manage your invitations
Both hosts and invitees can manage the invitation in their own ways. Here are all the options available to the event’s host and guests.
Hosts:
- Track RSVPs: View responses in real time.
- Send reminders:Notify guests who haven’t replied.
- Edit event details: Modify event time, location, or description.
- Cancel an event: Inform guests if plans change.
Guests:
- Quick response: Guests can access the event details directly within the Invites app if they have an iPhone or via a browser if they don’t own an iPhone.
- Change RSVP status: Modify their response anytime before the event.
- View event details: Check the time, location, and notes from the host.
- Control data access: Have the power to control how their personal information is displayed to others and can choose to leave or report an event at any time.
- Upload photos: Contribute to the event’s Shared Album.
- Add music: Contribute to the event’s Apple Music playlist.
Apple Invites app: Availability
Starting February 4, 2025, the Apple Invites app is now available globally on all iPhones running on iOS 18 or later versions for free. You can also access it over the web at icloud.com/invites.
Summing up…
With features like customizable invitations, RSVP tracking, Shared Albums, Apple Music Playlist collaboration, and more, Apple’s Invites app offers a sleek and interactive way to organize and manage events by creating a fun and engaging experience for both hosts and guests (particularly those who use an Apple device). So the next time you’re hosting an event, give Invites a shot to spin up a custom invite and manage your guests.
Have you tried Apple’s brand-new Invites app? Do share your experience in the comments.
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