Apple's Messages app is finally catching up to the competition. With iOS 26 expected to be previewed at WWDC next week, Apple is working on three features that Messages users have been requesting for years – and they're the kind of additions that should make you actually want to use iMessage over a rival chat platform.
Here's what's coming:
- Polls – Apple is said to be planning to add an option for polls in Messages, which would allow people in group chats to vote. Apple Intelligence could play a part in this feature. For example, one possibility is that Messages could automatically suggest the poll based on the context of the conversation.
- Auto-Translate – The Messages app will include a new translate feature. Messages will apparently be able to automatically translate incoming and outgoing messages when you're conversing with someone who speaks another language. You can already long press on an incoming message and choose the translate option to translate it to another language, but it seems the process could be sped up with automatic translation options.
- Background Images – iOS 26 will also include the option to set background images within individual Messages conversations. These personalized backgrounds would automatically sync across all your Apple devices, adding some visual flair to your chats.
These aren't earth-shattering changes, but they're practical ones. Polls could solve group chat coordination problems, auto-translate should remove friction from international conversations, and background images will give conversations some personality.
At WWDC, Apple is expected to unveil major updates across all its platforms, including iOS 26, macOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, and more. The keynote kicks off Monday, June 9, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, when we'll learn whether these rumored features make the final cut.
Apple will live stream the event on its website, on YouTube, and in the TV app. If you're not able to watch live, we'll have a live blog and coverage of the announcements here at MacRumors, plus we'll be live tweeting the event on the MacRumorsLive account.
