Apple is preparing an iPhone feature to decode AI photos, here's how it works

Apple Reference Image is expected to be more useful for journalists (photo: x @Eng_Anmar)

JAKARTA - Apple is preparing a new feature called Apple Reference Image that allows users to prove that a photo was actually taken using an iPhone camera. This feature has the potential to help distinguish between original photos and images created or manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI).

Apple Reference Image is found in the latest developer beta version of iOS 27 code. The feature is designed to provide authentication information on photos so that recipients can check the origin of the image. However, Apple has not confirmed that Apple Reference Image will be available in the final version of iOS 27.

The main concept of Apple Reference Image is to provide proof that an image comes from an iPhone camera. To use this feature, users must first activate Reference Mode through the camera settings. After activation, photos must be taken using the new Reference mode.

The photo will then get additional metadata. This metadata will later be used by Apple to perform the authentication process for the image. With this mechanism, a photo can have a special identity that allows others to check if the image really comes from an iPhone camera.

There are three stages before a photo can be verified.

Apple Reference Image does not work automatically on all photos taken using the iPhone.

Users must take several steps first.

First, Reference Mode must be enabled through Settings and Camera.

Second, the photo must be taken using the Reference mode.

Third, users must choose to authenticate the photo.

This means that photos taken using the regular camera mode do not automatically get the status as a verified photo.

After the authentication process is performed, Apple will provide a special identity to the image. When the authenticated photo is shared via AirDrop or Messages, the recipient can check its authenticity status.

This system is designed so that information about the origin of the photo can still be checked after the image is shared with others. Apple is also said to be preparing an "Transfer with Provenance" option. This feature allows authenticated images to retain their ID when transferred using a USB connection to another device.

Apple Reference Image can fight AI photos

This ability has the potential to be one way to deal with the increasing number of AI-generated images. With generative AI technology that is increasingly easy to use, photos that look realistic can now be created without ever being taken with a camera.

Apple Reference Image does not automatically prove that all photos without authentication marks are AI images.

Instead, this feature is designed to provide additional proof that a particular photo does indeed come from an iPhone camera and has passed Apple's authentication process. Therefore, its main benefit is likely to be in situations where the authenticity of a picture is of utmost importance.

Journalists could be a key user

Apple Reference Image is expected to be more useful for journalists than users who just take vacation photos.

In the world of journalism, the authenticity of a photo can be an important part of the process of verifying information. Proof that an image comes directly from a particular camera can help check photos circulating on the internet or social media.

However, the feature still has limitations because users must activate Reference Mode before taking a photo.

Not necessarily available on iOS 27

Although the Apple Reference Image feature code has been found in the iOS 27 developer beta, Apple has not guaranteed that the feature will be available in the final version. Apple can still change the mechanism or delay its launch.

In addition, because the feature requires a special mode in the Camera app, Apple Reference Image may not be used by third-party camera apps.

It's possible Apple will eventually provide an API for developers to support the technology, but there's no certainty about that.

Apple Reference Image is not a perfect solution

Photo authentication technology does not necessarily solve all problems related to fake images.

A photo that doesn't have an Apple Reference Image authentication doesn't automatically mean that the photo was created using AI.

On the other hand, the original photo can also look unusual due to the computational processing of the camera.

Because of this, an authentication system like this is more appropriately viewed as an additional layer to check the origin of the image, rather than as a single tool to determine whether a photo is real or fake.

If Apple really releases the Apple Reference Image, the feature could be one of Apple's efforts to face an era when it is increasingly difficult to distinguish between camera photos and AI-generated images.