6 great features in Messages in iOS 26

The Messages app is getting flashy new features in iOS 26 that make group chats much more fun and efficient. It also filters spam texts, translates conversations and more.

As the iPhone’s default messaging app, Messages is one of Apple’s darlings. The app gets new features with every major update, but iOS 26 stands out as one of the best in years. Here’s how all the new messaging features work – keep reading or watch our quick video.

6 great features in Messages in iOS 26

Messaging is one of the most important and frequently used apps on many people’s iPhones. It keeps you in touch with family and friends and also provides a platform for all kinds social groups. In fact, the blue bubble in group chats that indicates a message sent using Apple’s proprietary iMessage service without gentiles for Android is an important status symbol for some.

But Messages is more than just a fun way to chat with your group. Increasingly, the app offers a direct line to anyone you deal with, including large corporations. It is becoming the preferred method to get customer support or file a complaint.

In fact, Messages is becoming almost the “everything” app — and the latest update only makes it more indispensable.

If you and all your friends own an iPhone, you should definitely check out these features. And if any of your friends stay on iOS 18, you should encourage them all update to iOS 26 to take advantage of all the new messaging features in group chats.

Note: These features rely on iMessage, Apple’s proprietary “blue bubble” messaging system, which enables features exclusive to Apple devices. But if you have a lot of friends with “green bubble” Android, don’t worry – you’ll enjoy other improvements as well.

Contents: 6 great features in Messages in iOS 26

1. Create a poll
2. Set a background image
3. Request group payments
4. Hide texts from unknown numbers
5. Automatically translate messages
6. Writing indicators
7. More features in Messages

Create a poll in the Messages app

In Messages in iOS 26, you can create a poll that members of a group chat can vote on. If you’re ever having trouble deciding where to eat, what date is best to hang out, or what movie to see, surveys can help the group decide. Everyone in the group must be using iOS 26 to participate, and on iMessage – this is not supported in SMS or RCS messages.

To set up a poll, tap Add (+) to the left of the text box and tap Polls. Enter something in each Selection field. If you fill in all three, a fourth will appear at the bottom. You can add up to 12 options to the poll.

After the poll is submitted, other people in the group can also add their own items. You can vote for as many options as you like. You can also change your voice afterwards if you change your mind.

Unfortunately, there are no settings. You can’t prevent people from adding their own options, nor can you force them to choose just one. But it’s still a nifty feature.

Set background image for cat

Just as you can change the group name or group icon in Messages, you can now set a background image for group messages. (You can set backgrounds for individual contacts as well.) This feature is also limited to iMessage conversations.

This can add personality to a group chat and visually set it apart from the rest of your conversations. Plus, if you set different backgrounds for your partner and your parents, you’ll be much less likely to accidentally text the wrong person.

Tap the contact or group name at the top of the screen, then tap Background. You will see several options:

• Photo allows you to select an image from your photo library.
• Apple includes several animated backgrounds: Color, sky, Water and Aurora. Each one comes with several different color options; swipe left or right to preview and select.
• Playground allows you to generate an image using Image Playground if you are using an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence. (Read more about Apple’s tool: How to create AI images on your iPhone with Image Playground.)
• Proposals it will search your photo library for nice images that might be worthy backgrounds. Scroll through the list and tap one to preview it.
• And if you don’t like the background, you can tap No back to top of list for plain backgrounds.

Personally, I only used background images ironically. But with the right crowd, it could be fun.

Request group payments in the Messages app

In iOS 26, you can now request group payments using Apple Cash directly in the Messages app. You don’t have to go around asking every person for money. Just put a request in the group chat and everyone can pay you back.

To request a payment, tap Add (+) in the menu on the left, and then tap Apple Cash. You can tap on + and − enter a number or swipe up to enter the exact amount. Alternatively, tap on Request without amountand each can return different amounts. (Choose if some people owe more than others.)

If you want, you can write a message to include. Just tap to send a request Send. You will be notified when people complete your request.

Hide texts from unknown numbers

The Messages app now automatically filters texts from unknown numbers to reduce spam, promotions, and other irritating junk. (The new Phone app in iOS 26 does the same with unknown calls and voicemails. For more information, see How to use the new Phone app or get your old one back.)

To view messages from unknown numbers, tap Filter in the upper right corner of your message list. The app classifies them into several different categories: Unknown senders, Transaction, Promotional event and Spam. Click on a category to switch to this list; tap on Filter and go back to News to see your normal conversations again.

You will also see Concepts if you have any messages that you started writing but didn’t finish.

Tap Recently deleted view texts and conversations you’ve deleted. You have 30 days to restore them before they disappear forever.

If you don’t want Messages to hide messages from unknown numbers, tap Manage filtering. This will take you to a screen in Settings where you can disable this feature. Turn off Unknown Senders screen see all messages in one list again. If you don’t mind spamming you too, tap on Text message filter and set it to No – but I really don’t recommend doing that.

Automatically translate messages

If your iPhone supports Apple Intelligence, you can see live translations of messages sent in another language. This feature is supported on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 and all newer models.

When you receive a message in a foreign language, tap and hold it, then tap Translate. A pop-up will appear asking if you want to translate just one message or the entire conversation. Tap Translate the message and you will see a popup window that will translate the text to your system language.

Tap Translate the conversation if you want to continue the bilingual chat. You will need to select and download a language to continue. As you type your answer, a translation into another language will be displayed in real time. Any subsequent messages the other person sends will also have the translation embedded.

At the bottom of the conversation, you’ll see a button with an inscription Translating. If you don’t need to see the second language, tap on it and tap on English only. (Of course, this will vary if your device’s native language is not English.) You can also tap Stop translation to turn off the message translation feature.

And finally… iOS 26 brings typing indicators to group messages

Last but not least, in the group text you will now see typing indicators from other members who have updated to iOS 26. This will tell you if someone is currently typing a reply. If you see three dots pop up, you can also wait to see what they say.

More features in Messages

• Edit or unsend messages immediately after sending them if you make a mistake.
• Schedule texts to be sent later on your iPhone to make sure you never forget to send a reminder, birthday greeting, or morning message to someone in another time zone. You can schedule a variety of texts up to a week in advance, including links, photos, attachments and more.
• iMessage effects can add a lot more meaning, emotion and fun to your text messages. You can add bold, italicsunderline a cross out text as well as a formatted document and you can even choose from lots of great animated effects.
• Check In is an iPhone feature that tracks your travels and lets your contacts know when you’ve safely arrived at your destination.