Apple’s new main model of its cellular software program is coming in September, with messaging specifically set for an enormous improve.
The Messages app in iOS 26 has been given a brand new look with the so-called Liquid Glass design. On the identical time, it introduces a spread of options that enhance each non-public and group chats, from customised backgrounds to good real-time translation.
Right here’s a more in-depth take a look at every little thing that’s coming.
Customized background for every dialog
Now you can select a customized background for every chat. Customers can select from ready-made themes reminiscent of sky or water, strong color choices or photos from their very own gallery. It’s additionally potential to generate photos utilizing Apple’s generative AI ‘Picture Playground’ app.
This function is just out there in iMessage conversations and requires iOS 26, iPad OS 26 or Mac OS Tahoe.
Polls in chats
Customers can create polls instantly in chats, with as much as twelve response choices.
On gadgets that help Apple Intelligence, Messages may counsel making a ballot based mostly on the content material of the dialog.
Stay translation in actual time
Utilizing Apple Intelligence, the app can translate messages as you kind, enabling conversations between individuals who converse totally different languages.
The function helps English, French, German, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Simplified Chinese language.
Apple
Enhancements to group chats
Group chats are getting two probably helpful new options. Identical to in 1:1 chat, it’ll now present indicators of who’s writing, matching what’s already out there on WhatsApp.
Elsewhere, it’s additionally potential to rapidly add unknown individuals to your Contacts.
Smarter copying
Choose and duplicate particular person elements of a message, reminiscent of an deal with subject or monitoring quantity, just by long-pressing and choosing “Choose”.
New filters for messages
Messages from unknown senders and suspected spam can now be sorted into totally different classes: unknown, transactions, promoting, spam, and lately deleted. It’s additionally potential to cover notifications from sure classes, other than time-sensitive messages.
Pure textual content search
The search operate has been improved and now understands pure language, so you’ll be able to kind searches in on a regular basis language quite than precise phrases.
Picture dealing with when information is low
A brand new setting sends low-quality picture previews when the iPhone is utilizing restricted information. The total model is mechanically despatched anytime the cellphone is linked to Wi-Fi.
New Genmoji options
Genmoji lets you mix two or extra emoji symbols into a brand new, customised image. The consequence may also be customised with textual content descriptions.
Once more, that is an Apple Intelligence function, however it works equally to the stacked emojis that went viral in 2024, proven under.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
Enhancements to CarPlay
Messages in CarPlay now help Tapbacks, plus the flexibility to pin conversations for fast entry.
EU alignment and future encryption
Within the EU, a brand new API is being launched that enables third-party apps to ship and obtain SMS, MMS and RCS. Apple additionally plans to introduce end-to-end encryption for RCS conversations between iPhone and Android customers in future updates.
Associated articles
This text initially appeared on our sister publication Macworld Sweden and was translated and tailored from Swedish.
