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.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

New iPhone 17 Pro Details: Brighter Display, Best Battery Life, and More

Wednesday September 3, 2025 5:33 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models will feature a number of significant display, thermal, and battery improvements, according to new late-stage rumors. According to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature displays with higher brightness, making it more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. The iPhone 16 Pro and...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro's Biggest Design Mystery is Finally Solved

Friday September 5, 2025 9:33 am PDT by
Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 17 series in just four days from now, and the biggest design mystery surrounding the Pro models has finally been solved. In a report outlining his expectations for Apple's event next week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the iPhone 17 Pro models will have "a new cutout area on the bottom two-thirds of the phone that doubles as the wireless charging area."...
iPhone 16 Battery Life Feature

iOS 26's New Battery Life Mode is Limited to These iPhone Models

Wednesday September 3, 2025 1:19 pm PDT by
iOS 26 introduces an Adaptive Power Mode on the iPhone, alongside the existing Low Power Mode. Apple says Adaptive Power Mode can make "performance adjustments" when necessary to extend an iPhone's battery life, including slightly lowering the display brightness, allowing some activities to "take longer," and automatically turning on Low Power Mode when the iPhone's remaining battery life...

Top Rated Comments

davebarnes Avatar
13 weeks ago
How about using AI to automatically reject all political texts? All candidates. All political fund raising.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pudlo Avatar
13 weeks ago
new backgrounds?!! guys this is so amazing! I was waiting years for this! life will never be the same again!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleTO Avatar
13 weeks ago
I hope we can disable backgrounds if we don’t want to see them.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TimFL1 Avatar
13 weeks ago

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: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dkh587 Avatar
13 weeks ago

Where is the updated RCS?
that would’ve been more exciting than most of what they announced for Messages
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
applefan8254 Avatar
13 weeks ago
Can we get a web based cross platform messages app that works across more platforms and devices? Thank you
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)