Here's What's New in Messages on iOS 26: Polls, Backgrounds, and More

Apple today announced several new features coming to the Messages app with iOS 26, which is available in beta starting today and will be released later this year.

General Apps Messages Redux
iOS 26 allows users to set custom backgrounds in conversations, and it introduces the ability to create polls for voting.

In the Messages app, users can now screen messages from unknown senders. Apple says messages from unknown senders will appear in a dedicated folder, where users can mark the phone number as known, ask for more information, or delete it. These messages will remain silenced until a user accepts them.

iOS 26 Messages Backgrounds
iOS 26 Messages Polls
In group chats, users can now see typing indicators, plus send and receive Apple Cash.

iOS 26 Group Chat Messages Typing Indicators
A new Live Translation feature in the Messages app, powered by Apple Intelligence, can translate text and audio on the fly.

iOS 26 Messages Live Translate
Read our overall iOS 26 announcement post to learn more about the update.

Related Roundups: iOS 26, WWDC 2025

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Top Rated Comments

Pudlo Avatar
3 hours ago at 11:00 am
new backgrounds?!! guys this is so amazing! I was waiting years for this! life will never be the same again!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
davebarnes Avatar
3 hours ago at 11:16 am
How about using AI to automatically reject all political texts? All candidates. All political fund raising.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TimFL1 Avatar
3 hours ago at 11:08 am

Where is the updated RCS?
Hope it‘s in the full feature list (UP 3.0).

Can‘t believe group chat typing indicators is the most exciting addition they showcased for Messages.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dkh587 Avatar
3 hours ago at 11:14 am

Where is the updated RCS?
that would’ve been more exciting than most of what they announced for Messages
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SMH4KIDIOT Avatar
3 hours ago at 10:51 am
Where is the updated RCS?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
otherorange Avatar
3 hours ago at 11:35 am
Am I the only one who actively hates the idea of custom backgrounds in Messages? I want a consistent user interface, not a random background for each conversation I'm involved in. And if this behaves like Instagram chats, where someone else can change how MY conversation view looks I'm going to be very irritated.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)