What shipped
ChatGPT Images 2.5 came out on Sept 8, 2026 with sharper detail, more precise editing and faster generation. It added two beginner-friendly ways to start: Sketch (draw on your phone, then describe what you want) and Templates (pick a starting point like a poster or logo and fill in details). Images work on every plan; the Free plan has limited and slower image generation.
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Why it matters
The hardest part of AI images for most people is describing the layout in words. A sketch shows where things go, so you only have to describe the style.
Steps
- Update the ChatGPT app on your phone and open a new chat.
- In the message box, type @ and select Sketch.
- Draw your idea. Stick figures and boxes are fine. You can pick colors, erase, or undo a stroke.
- Tap the check mark to confirm your sketch.
- Type what you want it to become, using the prompt below as a starting point, and send.
- When the image appears, tap it to open it full screen. Select Edit and describe a change, or use Select to highlight one area and describe what to change there. Highlights aren't always precise, so the edit can spill slightly outside what you marked.
- Save or share it from the image controls. Everything you make also shows up under Images in the sidebar.
Want to skip the drawing? Open the sidebar, select Images, then Templates, choose a category and fill in the details.
Copy-paste prompt
Turn my sketch into a [STYLE: e.g. "bright watercolor illustration" / "clean flat vector poster" / "cozy photo-style room"]. Keep the layout exactly as I drew it: same positions and sizes. [WHAT EACH SHAPE IS: e.g. "the big box on the left is a couch, the circle is a round rug."] Add the text "[EXACT TEXT]" at the top in a simple, readable font. Square format.
Common mistakes
- Over-describing. Let the sketch handle layout and use words for style, colors and text.
- Not spelling out the text you want. Put exact wording in quotes.
- Using it for things that need to be accurate, like a real floor plan with measurements. Treat the result as an idea board.
- Asking for copyrighted characters or someone else's logo. Make your own.
- Burning through free image limits with tiny tweaks. Batch your changes into one request.
