Messages app will gain two iOS 26 features inspired by WhatsApp

1 month ago 2

WWDC is almost here, and along with it the full reveal of what Apple’s been preparing for iOS 26, its next major iPhone update. Per a new report today, the Messages app in iOS 26 is set to gain two new features inspired by WhatsApp.

iOS 26 will reportedly add background images and polls to Messages app

Today in Mark Gurman’s big WWDC preview, he outlined Messages app changes coming in iOS 26.

Gurman writes at Bloomberg:

The two main changes are the ability to create polls and set a background image. The backgrounds will sync between devices, including those of other users, meaning that you and the people you are chatting with have the same look.

Background images have long been available in WhatsApp and other popular messaging apps.

The ability to sync between devices is nice, but I’m especially curious about the images syncing between users, too.

It sounds a lot like the current feature for setting a custom photo and name for a group chat. Those details sync to all users involved in the chat, and apparently background images will do the same rather than being private to each user.

As for polls, 9to5Mac exclusively reported earlier this week on polls being added to Messages in iOS 26.

Here’s what our own Marcus Mendes said at the time:

Apple is working on adding support for polls to Messages. Apple is also testing integration with Apple Intelligence as part of this feature. For example, one possibility is that Messages could automatically suggest the poll structure based on the context of the conversation.

Polls should prove a great addition to iMessage, and the possibility of an AI element sounds intriguing too—if it works well, of course.

Any other updates and changes Apple has coming to Messages in iOS 26 should be revealed in just a few days, as the full unveiling happens Monday.

What do you think about these new Messages features expected in iOS 26? Let us know in the comments.