Yolk is a social app where users exchange custom live stickers, with no text allowed.

Yolk, a new iOS app, aims to carve out a niche in the crowded social apps market by leveraging recent advancements in on-device AI and targeting a younger demographic. Unlike traditional text-based messaging, Yolk users communicate visually by sending custom live stickers created with AI tools integrated into the app. The app encourages creativity and individuality by providing low-friction tools for expression while imposing some constraints on communication to stimulate fun interactions.

Yolk embraces the concept of “social weirdness” and identity-building, offering users a unique perspective on their world through the lens of a camera. The app utilizes three AI models running on the device to power its sticker creation tool. Specifically, it leverages Apple’s Vision APIs and on-device machine learning for object detection and foreground/background segmentation. Additionally, Yolk utilizes an open-source “face parsing” model to recognize facial landmarks such as eyes, ears, and nose, enabling users to personalize their stickers with unique facial expressions and features.

Got it, let me reiterate: In Yolk, users are unable to send text messages to each other. Instead, they use their iPhone cameras to capture images of various subjects—such as their own faces, hands, or surrounding objects—which are then transformed into segmented stickers. These stickers can be shared with contacts as standalone messages. The app also offers visual editing capabilities, allowing users to combine multiple images and visuals, including still photos and emojis, to create more elaborate messages. However, text-sharing is not supported, and users primarily exchange custom collages of visuals or stickerfied clips.

Yolk encourages playful and creative interactions among users, with shared combinations potentially featuring reactions like a selfie grimace superimposed over a photo of today’s lunch, or a humorous hand gesture paired with an image from a disliked TV show. The app prioritizes fun and expression over deep discussions or serious conversations, distinguishing itself from other messaging platforms that cater to such communication styles.