Apple's latest update, iOS 26, brings a plethora of significant enhancements to the Messages app on the iPhone, introducing at least 10 new features designed to improve user experience. This article highlights the most notable changes and updates that users can expect from the revamped Messages app.
One of the standout features in iOS 26 is the ability to create polls within group chats. This innovative option allows users to vote on various topics, such as selecting a restaurant for dinner. Additionally, Apple’s advanced Intelligence will suggest creating a poll when it detects that one might be beneficial, making decision-making in group conversations even easier.
The new backgrounds feature lets users personalize their conversations by adding a background that all participants can see. Users can choose from a collection of Apple’s backgrounds or upload their own photos. For those who prefer a cleaner interface, conversation backgrounds can be disabled through the Settings app.
iOS 26 enhances group chat functionality by allowing users to send and receive Apple Cash directly within these conversations. This integration simplifies financial transactions among friends and family, making it easier to manage shared expenses.
Another useful update is the introduction of typing indicators in group chats. Users can now see who is actively typing, fostering a more engaging and interactive chat environment.
The new Add Contact button simplifies the process of adding participants to the Contacts app directly from group chats. This feature streamlines contact management, ensuring that users can easily connect with new acquaintances.
With iOS 26, users can now tap and hold on a message bubble to reveal a new Select option. This feature allows users to select specific portions of text within a message, enhancing the flexibility of communication compared to the previous method of copying entire messages.
The Messages app now includes an unknown sender screening feature that automatically filters messages from unknown contacts into an Unknown Senders folder. This functionality also hides notifications for these messages until the user decides to accept them, helping to reduce spam and unwanted interruptions.
Searching for photos has never been easier with the introduction of natural language search. Users can describe the content of the photo they’re looking for, such as “Eric skateboarding in a tie-dye shirt,” making it simple to find specific images within conversations.
When enabled, the new Send Photo Previews setting will send a lower-quality preview of photos while the iPhone is in Low Data Mode. The full-resolution image will be sent later, ensuring that users can manage their data usage effectively.
In a significant move towards privacy, Apple has announced plans to incorporate end-to-end encryption for RCS messages in the Messages app. This update ensures that messages and attachments exchanged between devices remain secure, similar to the existing protections for iMessage communications.
Currently, iOS 26 is available in developer beta, with a public beta expected to launch next month. The full update will be rolled out later this year for iPhone models starting from the iPhone 11 and newer.
