iOS 26 Messages App Rumored to Get Polls and Automatic Translate Feature

The iOS 26 Messages app will include a new translate feature, according to 9to5Mac. Messages will apparently be able to automatically translate incoming and outgoing messages when you're conversing with someone who speaks another language.

General Apps Messages Redux
You can already long press on an incoming message and choose the translate option to translate it to another language, but it seems the process could be sped up with automatic translation options.

Apple is also said to be planning to add an option for a polls in the Messages, which would allow people in group chats to vote. The polls option could be powered by Apple Intelligence, with Apple suggesting polling categories.

9to5Mac claims that Apple is also working on several other features:

  • Music - Full screen animated art on the Lock Screen.
  • Notes - Markdown export support.
  • CarPlay - Updated user interface to match ‌iOS 26‌.

All of the new features in ‌iOS 26‌ will be unveiled at the 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference, which is set to begin next week.

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Top Rated Comments

iHorseHead Avatar
20 weeks ago
Still no way to archive messages?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
danny842003 Avatar
20 weeks ago

do you send iMessage to someone whom you cannot directly communicate with? this is an odd choice.
My in-laws speak broken English and my Vietnamese is worse. Because of my accent they struggle to understand me on the phone.
So yes I do and I don’t think it’s an odd choice to speak to family.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GlassFingers Avatar
20 weeks ago
How about adding translation to emails??
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
George Bailey Avatar
20 weeks ago

do you send iMessage to someone whom you cannot directly communicate with? this is an odd choice.
It's not a question of simply can/cannot. I frequently exchange messages with people whose first or even second language is not English, and my command of their language is not strong enough to converse in it. Both of us being able to freely use the most comfortable language would be a nice benefit.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mansplains Avatar
20 weeks ago
I would really like to see polls. It’s frustrating to plan events in group messages without them (what day works best? etc) and the members of such groups may not want to use a third-party message service for them alone.


Still no way to archive messages?
Tons of screenshots ?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GrumpyOldGuy52 Avatar
20 weeks ago

do you send iMessage to someone whom you cannot directly communicate with? this is an odd choice.
It happens more than you think (Source: Me (an ESL teacher)).

That said, I don’t usually message students or parents through Messages—it’s through WhatsApp—but if Apple does this in Messages, then maybe Meta will get off its rear and do it in WhatsApp.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)