Apple recentlylaunched an app called Invites, built to solve a flaw you may not have considered in itsCalendar app– group events. While you don’t need Invites to host events using your Mac oriPhone, the app does make it easier to organize them, and helps turn them into a bigger spectacle. You’d probably be more inclined to attend a cookout if someone handed you a decorative card instead of an address on a sticky note, after all.
In this guide, I’ll fill you in on all you need to know about Invites, including not just creating an event but the requirements to use the app. Yes, there are a few. I’ll also cover who can receive RSVPs, and why the app is best used among friends and family in the Apple ecosystem, even if Android and Windows users can still join in.
Apple Invites
I downloaded Deepseek to see how censored it really is
Don’t expect it to be fully honest with politically sensitive topics.
What do you need to use Apple Invites?
Hosting requirements
To create events, you’ve got one of two options. The first is the iPhone app, which runs on any device with iOS 18 or later. That means any iPhone from 2018’s iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR onwards. Invites is a free download from the App Store.
You can also use a web interface by going toicloud.com/invitesin a browser and signing in with your Apple Account. It’s more limited in some respects, but the advantage is that you can reach it from any platform, including Mac, Android, and Windows. You might even try yourSteam Deck.
Receiving invites
Anyone can receive and accept an invite. If you don’t have an iPhone with the Invites app, you’re able to always RSVP with the web link you receive, which will take you toicloud.com/invites. It’s still helpful to have an Apple Account – since that lets you add items to shared photo/video albums – but you can stay signed out if you like.
Somehow, iCloud+ is the subscription I rely on the most
iCloud+ offers several robust features that provide so much value to me that I cannot fathom cancelling it.
How to host an event with Apple Invites
Using the iPhone app
The process should be fairly intuitive, but there are some quirks. Follow these steps:
Is hybrid AI the smartphone wave of the future? Samsung and Apple think so
Maybe a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t the best for voice assistants.
Using iCloud.com
This is mostly similar to using the iPhone app, so I won’t belabor the details too much. The interface is different though, and some options are missing.
I change these 5 iPhone settings immediately, and you should too
Apple doesn’t necessarily know what most iPhone users like.
Managing events and guests
Keep on top of the chaos
Once an event is launched, you can always manage guests using theInvite Guestsmenu in the iPhone app, orManage Guestsaticloud.com/invites. If you’ve enabled approvals for RSVPs, use thecheckmarkandXicons next to each name in the Guest List. If you reject someone by accident, you can hitUnblockto undo that, but you’ll have to resend their invitation.
If you tap thetriple-dot iconnext to a guest, you’ll get additional options. In the iPhone app, those includeAllow to invite others,Remove from Event, and an invitation link (tapView Information -> Invitation Link). iCloud.com users will only seeCopy LinkandRemove from Event.
If you need to cancel, delete, or reactivate an event, use the event settings menus mentioned earlier (sliderandgearicons). Edit an event on your iPhone by opening it, then tapping… -> Edit. On the web, select the event and clickEdit.
Another handy feature is the ability to send notes to all guests without contacting them one-by-one. In the iPhone app, just tapSend a Notewithin an event page. iCloud.com hosts should click theplus iconin the Host tile, thenSend an update.
Use this trick to save 7GB of storage on your iPhone
Assuming you’re willing to sacrifice Apple’s latest tentpole feature, that is.
Responding to events and adding to albums/playlists
Nothing to it
If you’ve been invited to an event, you’ll be prompted to selectGoing,Not Going, orMaybeusing the Invites app or a web link. You can select your profile picture to toggle between an image or initials, and add a message you want to share with everyone (not just the host!).
Will anyone actually want Apple’s AR glasses when they’re ready?
Apple seems to be struggling to understand AR and VR.
