Summary
- iOS 26 brings new features to Apple Messages like Custom Backgrounds and Polls.
- The Messages app also gets typing indicators and the ability to send and receive Apple Cash.
- Genmoji and Image Playground will now be able to generate descriptive and custom Genmoji and pictures, using ChatGPT.
Apple announced a host of features in iOS 26 and one of them was related to Apple Messages. The Cupertino giant is adding new features such as Custom Backgrounds, Image Playground, Polls and more. Here's everything you need to know about what's coming to the Messages app in iOS 26.
Starting with Custom Background, users can now create colourful new built-in backgrounds to add spark to the Messages app layout. You can also generate custom backgrounds using Apple Intelligence. This is followed by the introduction of Polls, which allows you to create polls in a group chat. Apple Intelligence automatically picks up the sentiment and a poll pop up appears in the keyboard.
Speaking of group chats, they now support typing indicators and added support for sending and receiving Apple Cash instantly. Similarly, messages now use Live Translation feature to automatically translate text images that are not in the same language as your iPhone.
Finally, the new Genmoji and Image Playground upgrades also look significant. You can now mix emoji, Genmoji and descriptions together to communicate. The feature also uses ChatGPT with various predefined styles to help you create exactly what you're looking for.
Genmoji and Image Playground are available in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Japanese. They're now rolling out as part of the iOS 26 Developer Beta for iPhone 15 Pro models and on all iPhone 16 models, including the iPhone 16e.
What are your thoughts on the new Apple Messages features and updates to Genmoji and Image Playground? Let us know in the comments.
