Here's What's New in Messages on iOS 26: Polls, Backgrounds, and More - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

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, iPadOS 26

Popular Stories

Meta Ray Ban Lens

Apple Planning to Unveil Privacy-Focused Smart Glasses at WWDC 2027

Sunday July 26, 2026 9:26 am PDT by
Apple currently plans to unveil its first smart glasses at WWDC 2027 next June, and privacy will be a focus, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. For the glasses, Apple is prototyping "a slew of new hardware and software-related privacy features" that are not available on current products, he said. He did not mention any specific features, but he noted that Apple's marketing will likely...
Jon Prosser Rainbow

YouTuber Jon Prosser Responds to Apple's Lawsuit Over iOS 26 Leaks

Thursday July 2, 2026 6:42 pm PDT by
Jon Prosser today responded to Apple's lawsuit over iOS 26 leaks, with the YouTuber placing much of the blame on his acquaintance Michael Ramacciotti. As a refresher, Apple sued Prosser and Ramacciotti in July 2025 over alleged theft of the company's trade secrets. Apple alleged that the duo coordinated to break into former Apple software engineer Ethan Lipnik's development iPhone, in order ...
iOS 26

Apple Seeds Fourth iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6 Betas to Developers

Monday July 6, 2026 10:17 am PDT by
Apple today seeded the fourth betas of upcoming iOS 26.6 and iPadOS 26.6 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple seeded the third betas. Registered developers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update. With iOS 27 set to launch in September, Apple is...

Top Rated Comments

davebarnes Avatar
15 months ago
How about using AI to automatically reject all political texts? All candidates. All political fund raising.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
15 months 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
15 months ago
I hope we can disable backgrounds if we don’t want to see them.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
15 months 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)
15 months 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)
applefan8254 Avatar
15 months 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)

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors