Recently, social media has been filled with images from Lensa – an AI image generator app that can create what it calls ‘magic avatars’. These are artistic renders of photos that are created based on 10-20 uploads of a user.
The app processes your phone’s images to create a series of avatars that look as if they have been hand-drawn by a real-life artist (at least, in theory). Lensa also includes other photo editing tools, including the option to change your background, remove objects and erase blemishes on photos.
If you want to download your own set of magic avatars, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know – including the steps involved and how much it costs. We also have guides on how to download your Twitter history, and how to post a Collab on Instagram.
How to generate AI magic avatars on Lensa
Time to complete: 25 minutesTools required: Smartphone and Lensa appCost: At least $1.99/£1.99
1.
Download the app on iOS/Android
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
The app is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play, and it is called ‘Lensa: Avatar Maker, Editor’ by Prisma Labs Inc.
2.
Open the app and tap through the instruction cards
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
A series of cards will display on the screen showing the app’s features. Simply keep tapping ‘next’ to get through to the magic avatars quicker
3.
Click ‘Get started’
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
This will start the sign-up process for the app
4.
Toggle ‘Enable free trial’ before tapping ‘Try free & subscribe’
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
You need a subscription to use the Lensa app, but fortunately there is a seven-day free trial for new users. However, make sure you cancel within seven days, or you will be charged $29.99/£28.99
5.
Select ‘Try now’ on the magic avatars card and then ‘Continue’
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
This will take you straight to the magic avatars section, and explain what the feature is all about
6.
Read the instructions and tap ‘Select 10-20 photos’
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Try to follow the instructions where possible, as otherwise the app may generate some strange photos. For example, I accidentally included a full body shot, which ended up generating drawings of me with more than two legs (very disturbing)
7.
Select 10-20 images of yourself and import them
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
You will need to select a minimum of 10 before the yellow ‘Import’ button will appear
8.
Select your gender
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
This should influence the types of photos that the app produces
9.
Choose how many avatars you want to purchase
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
The cheapest option is 50 for $1.99/£1.99, but you can also get 100 or 200. You may need to confirm your purchase via your iOS/Google Play account
10.
Wait for the Lensa app to upload your photos
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Make sure that you keep the app open on your phone whilst this is in progress
11.
Allow the Lensa app to process the photos
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Now the app will start to create the AI processed images. This took around twenty minutes for me, but the app can run the background whilst you do other things
12.
Open the app and select ‘Magic avatars’, and then click on your newest pack
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Tap on your pack of avatars once it shows up on the screen
13.
Browse through your avatars and save the ones you like
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
The AI produces numerous different styles including Pop Art, Fantasy, Anime and more. You can either download and select photos individually by tapping on them, or select ‘Save all’ in the top right-hand corner
Can you get the Lensa magic avatars for free?
Sadly, no. Whilst the subscription offers a free seven-day trial for new users, you will still have to pay at least $1.99/£1.99 for the avatars.
Make sure you don’t pay more than you need to by cancelling your free trial before you are billed for a subscription.
You can do this by tapping on the settings cog wheel on the top left-hand side of the app, and then selecting ‘Manage plan’.
If you’re looking for a free alternative and you don’t mind something that uses one specific image rather than numerous, then Prisma is one to consider. Whilst it will encourage you to pay, you can just ignore the prompts. This is available on iOS and Android.
