iOS 26 will bring two new features to the Messages app: One of them is inspired by WhatsApp

Apple is preparing to unveil major updates to its Messages app with the launch of iOS 26, set to be announced during WWDC. Among the expected changes, two features stand out for their potential impact: the introduction of background images and the ability to create polls within conversations.

Messages app to include polls and background image sync

With iOS 26, users will be able to customize their chat backgrounds, a feature long available in WhatsApp and other popular messaging apps. What’s new here is that these backgrounds will sync not only across a user’s devices but also with everyone in the same conversation, offering a unified visual experience. This mirrors existing group chat features like shared names and icons, but extends personalization even further.

The second big addition is native support for polls within the Messages app. Apple is reportedly integrating this tool with Apple Intelligence, meaning that polls could be automatically suggested based on the context of the chat. For example, if users are discussing plans or preferences, the app might offer to create a relevant poll on the fly, streamlining decision-making.

These enhancements aim to make the Messages app more dynamic, interactive, and visually engaging, potentially narrowing the gap with competitors like WhatsApp. As Apple continues to push its own ecosystem, features like shared backgrounds and AI-generated polls may further encourage users to stay within iMessage.

More details on these features and other iOS 26 upgrades will be revealed during Apple’s keynote, as WWDC kicks off this Monday.