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.

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.

In group chats, users can now see typing indicators, plus send and receive Apple Cash.

A new Live Translation feature in the Messages app, powered by Apple Intelligence, can translate text and audio on the fly.

Read our overall iOS 26 announcement post to learn more about the update.Related Roundups: iOS 26, WWDC 2025Tag: MessagesRelated Forum: Apple, Inc and Tech IndustryThis article, "Here's What's New in Messages on iOS 26: Polls, Backgrounds, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums