The Messages app has the Liquid Glass redesign that is been launched all through iOS 26, however Apple additionally added a number of long-desired options that make for a greater expertise in each one-to-one and group chats, reminiscent of customized backgrounds and group typing indicators.
Message Backgrounds
In any dialog within the Messages app, you’ll be able to set a customized background, a characteristic that is out there in lots of third-party messaging apps.
To set a customized background, faucet on the identify of the individual or group on the high, and select the “Backgrounds” possibility. There are pre-set choices like sky, water, and aurora, or you’ll be able to select a strong shade.
You too can choose to pick out a photograph out of your Photograph Library, or generate a picture with Picture Playground. Backgrounds are modified for each participant within the dialog, however that you must have ‌iOS 26‌, iPadOS 26, or macOS Tahoe. Customized backgrounds can solely be set for iMessage conversations on the present time, and there will not be an choice to set a customized background in a chat with somebody who has an Android system.
For those who do not need to see customized backgrounds that individuals set, you’ll be able to flip off the choice within the Messages part of the Settings app. Simply go to Settings > Apps > Messages and toggle off Dialog Backgrounds.
Whatever the background that you just select, message bubbles will nonetheless be blue, and bubble shade cannot be modified.
Polls
For conversations the place you are asking individuals to decide on considered one of a number of choices, now you can create a ballot. For those who faucet on the “+” button subsequent to the Messages textual content, there is a ballot possibility.
You possibly can add as much as 12 decisions in a ballot, after which ship it to individuals in a dialog to vote on. For those who ship a ballot and somebody thinks an possibility is lacking, they’ll edit it and add in one other alternative.
On units that assist Apple Intelligence, the Messages app will counsel a ballot in related conversations. For those who’re asking the group whether or not to get pizza, burgers, or pasta, for instance, you may see a suggestion to create a ballot.
Reside Translation
‌iOS 26‌ helps a reside translate characteristic in Messages on units with ‌Apple Intelligence‌. For those who’re conversing with somebody that speaks one other language, you’ll be able to activate translate. What they sort will probably be translated to your language, and what you sort will probably be translated to their language. Translations are close to instantaneous and do not decelerate textual content conversations.
Languages which can be supported embody Chinese language (Mandarin, Simplified), French, German, Italian, English, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain).
To choose in to automated translate, faucet on the individual’s identify, scroll down, and toggle on the Mechanically Translate possibility. You will want to pick out a language to translate from, and obtain that language pack in case you do not have already got it put in (they’re round 900MB).
Messages that you just ship will present up in each your language and the translated language by yourself telephone, however the individual on the opposite finish will solely see the message of their language. Messages they reply with will present their language and the translated language.
Reside Translation is an ‌Apple Intelligence‌ characteristic, and it really works finest when each contributors have ‌iOS 26‌, ‌iPadOS 26‌, or macOS Tahoe. You should use Reside Translation with somebody who has an older system or an Android system, and it’ll translate their textual content in your finish, however your responses are usually not translated to their language.
Group Chat Enhancements
If you’re in a gaggle chat, you may see typing indicators for people who find themselves typing a response.
Apple Money can also be now supported in group chats, so members of the group can ship cash to at least one one other with out having to separate out into separate conversations.
For those who’re in a gaggle chat and there is a individual that you do not know, there’s now an possibility so as to add that individual to your Contacts app with a faucet.
Copy/Paste
If you wish to copy simply part of a message, reminiscent of an handle or a package deal monitoring quantity, there’s an possibility in ‌iOS 26‌ to take action. Lengthy press on the message that you just need to copy after which faucet on the “Choose” possibility.
Message Filtering
Apple separated spam messages and messages from unknown senders into two classes in ‌iOS 26‌, and each could be filtered out in case you desire.
There is a Filter part that you could entry by tapping the icon on the high proper of the Messages app interface that may allow you to see messages with particular content material. Choices embody Unknown Senders, Transactions, Promotions, Spam, and Just lately Deleted.
You possibly can have messages from unknown senders (aka not saved in your Contacts) despatched on to the Unknown Senders listing, and you will not get notifications. You may see a badge within the filter part of the Messages app so you understand the message is there, however you will not be bothered by it.
There’s an exception you’ll be able to activate for Time Delicate notifications, so you will not miss one thing like a meals supply individual sending you a message. Messages categorized as spam will probably be despatched to the spam field, and you will not see a notification or a badge.
You too can activate filtering notifications for messages which can be categorized as Private (not from companies), Transactions (order receipts and confirmations), and Promotions.
Pure Language Search
Messages helps pure language search, so you should utilize conversational phrases when searching for a textual content thread or one thing particular in a dialog.
Low Knowledge Photograph Sharing
Apple added a “Ship Low High quality Photograph Previews” setting that may be enabled within the Messages part of the Settings app. When it is turned on, Messages will ship a decrease high quality preview of a picture in case your iPhone is in Low Knowledge Mode. The total model of the picture is distributed at a later time when you have got a Wi-Fi connection.
Genmoji
In Messages, the Genmoji characteristic has been up to date to assist mixing two or extra present emoji characters collectively to create a brand new emoji.
In a dialog, faucet on ‌Genmoji‌ to make a customized emoji character. As soon as within the ‌Genmoji‌ interface, faucet on the smile icon with a “+” subsequent to it, and you’ll choose the emoji characters that you just need to add from the emoji menu. You possibly can add two emoji, or much more in order for you.
Mixed emoji could be additional edited with text-based descriptions, and if somebody sends you a combo emoji, you’ll be able to lengthy press on it and select “New Emoji” to tweak it additional.
CarPlay
If you’re driving, now you can reply to an incoming message with a fast Tapback response. Plus you’ll be able to pin conversations to the Messages app in CarPlay so you’ll be able to entry your favourite contacts rapidly.
EU Adjustments
Within the European Union, there is a new EU-only API for builders that may permit third-party messages apps to ship and obtain RCS/MMS/SMS messages by default as an alternative of the built-in Messages app.
Finish-to-Finish RCS Encryption
Apple is planning to convey end-to-end encryption to ‌RCS‌ conversations between ‌iPhone‌ and Android customers in a future software program replace, however the performance shouldn’t be carried out but.
Learn Extra
We’ve got a full iOS 26 roundup that covers all the new options which can be out there within the replace.
