As announced at Apple’s WWDC 2025, iOS 26 will arrive on our phones later this year, and it’s giving our iPhones’ existing apps a nice upgrade. With all the buzz about “Liquid Glass,” a newer lock screen, and Games, the Messages app might just be the part that makes everyone’s life easier. Let’s look closely at how texting is set to become more exciting for you.
What Is iOS 26?
This fall, Apple will release iOS 26 as the next main iPhone update. It is named after the year and what used to be iOS 19, and it brings a big redesign, advanced AI from Apple, and a great new Messages feature.
Liquid Glass Design
It would be amazing to type on your phone in a perfectly clear pool, wouldn’t it? This is what the new “Liquid Glass” look is all about. The UI looks smoother when menus, buttons, and widgets fade into the background softly. Strongly colored messages will look great in a bright and open theme.
Group Chat Typing Indicators
Wondering if someone is typing on a group text? With iOS 26, the typing dots make a comeback. You can now watch for the first messages from people long before they send them . A big success for revealing information.
Easy Polls in iMessage
Choosing dinner? Starting to organize your trip? A friendly poll built into iOS 26 makes the planning process easier. You can conduct surveys in chats with one person and also with groups. Votes are clearly showed, counting takes no effort, and the AI can help by suggesting a poll if you look like you could use one. It allows you to make choices using a private version of the ballot box.
Personal Chat Backgrounds
Is the style of your writing reflecting the subject you’re chatting about? You have the option to change the wallpaper for each chat, using a traditional one, your own photo, or a design generated by Apples Image Playground. It’s like putting on a certain backdrop to match the group’s interests.
Smart Apple Cash in Groups
With iOS 26, Apple Cash is now integrated into the system. Paying your share of the bill or sharing gifts is simple because you can send and receive money right inside Messages. Cool feature, isn’t it?
Live Translation across Apps
With Apple Intelligence, we can remove some of those communication barriers. Now, with Live Translation in Messages (and FaceTime/Phone), your messages will be translated in real time on your device instead of having to find and use separate apps.
Unknown Senders Folder
Are you annoyed by all the spam or weird text messages? Setting up an “Unknown Senders” group. Any SMS from unknown numbers is delivered to missed calls. Feel free to check them and label as known, trash them, or mark them as spam for cleaner email and extra safety.
Additional Updates Using AI
Apart from chatting, iOS 26 offers new features all over.
- This feature can transform screenshots into resources that give information and add events to your Calendar.
- When a representative is not talking, Assist silences the standard hold music.
Device Compatibility & Release
The public beta will be launched this month, while the final iOS 26 should come out this fall around September. The iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max have been phased out, so they’ll no longer receive updates.
Privacy and On‑Device Intelligence
Apple makes it clear that everything, including translation, is done locally on the device and does not share your content with anyone. That helps protect privacy much better than other apps can.
Summing Up: Reasons Why This is Important
iOS 26 is transforming Messages into an advanced, creative, and secure way to communicate. Apple’s new features include understandable layouts, built-in translation, and a spam filter to make things easier. It brings a pleasing change to our favorite app, making it ready to keep up with the future.
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