what are all the new features for the app of messages on ios 26

Asked on 2025-06-23

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In iOS 26, the Messages app introduces several new features to enhance user experience:

  1. Backgrounds: You can select dynamic built-in backgrounds or use your own photos, which will appear for everyone in the conversation. This feature adds a personal touch to your chats.

  2. Polls in Group Chats: You can create polls to easily gather opinions from group members. Apple Intelligence can suggest polls when it detects a relevant context, like planning an event.

  3. Apple Cash in Group Chats: You can request, send, and receive Apple Cash directly within group chats, making it easier to settle expenses like concert tickets or dinner bills.

  4. Typing Indicators for Group Chats: This feature lets you know who is about to contribute to the conversation, enhancing the group chat experience.

  5. Spam Detection and Screening Tools: New on-device spam detection helps keep your conversation list clean by filtering out spam and unknown numbers. You can screen new senders to control who appears in your conversation list.

  6. Live Translation: Integrated into Messages, this feature allows for real-time translation of conversations, breaking down language barriers.

These updates aim to make communication more expressive, organized, and seamless in iOS 26.

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