The software updates iOS 26, iPados 26, MacOS 26 and Watchos 26 add a lot of improvements and new possibilities to Apple’s Message app. On your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac you can now use backgrounds in chats and polls.
Another important addition is the filtering of unknown numbers and automatically determining who ends up in your conversation list. In addition, messages has also received some useful smart options and Apple Intelligence functions. We list all the innovations for you.
Automatic filtering unknown numbers
The Message app for iPhone, iPad and Mac can screen messages from an unknown sender and thus determine who ends up in your conversation list. The function can be compared to stopping unknown and anonymous telephone calls. All messages from an unknown sender are stopped by default as long as you do not open them, verification codes are reported as standard.
If you receive a message from an unknown sender, it will be placed in a separate folder. If you seem to know the person anyway, you can mark the number as well -known. You can also ask the sender for more information or delete the number.
Switch on unknown senders
- Open settings
- Go to ‘Apps’
- Tap ‘Messages’
- Call in the ‘Screen Unknown Senders’ option
You can enable this option on a Mac by opening the Message app â–¸ Menu bar â–¸ Messages â–¸ Settings.
Tap ‘Allow reports’ to allow notifications of verification codes, for example. In addition, it is also recommended to switch on the optional function ‘Filter Spam’, with this, for example, advertising is recognized and fake messages.
Spam and unknown senders can be found in the Message app at the top of the conversation list behind the three horizontal stripes.
Backgrounds and polls in messages
To personalize conversations you can now choose a different background. For this, open a conversation, tap or click on the name at the top of the app and choose a desired background for ‘Background’. This can be standard backgrounds, but you can also use photos and self -chosen images or generate a unique background with Image Playground that fits perfectly with the conversation. The backgrounds are synchronized on all your devices, including Apple Watch.
You can also start a poll from a chat conversation. Tap or click on the plus button next to the text field and choose ‘Surveys’. Enter the choices and ask your question and let the recipients pass on their choice on the basis of the poll, useful if you want to puncture a date for a trip.
Thanks to Apple Intelligence, the Message app can detect whether a poll may be a good option and make a suggestion for that.
Copy content of messages
It is finally possible to copy part of a message on an iPhone or iPad. Previously it was only possible to copy the full message and you had to select the desired text manually elsewhere. iOS 26 and iPados 26 contain an extra option to copy text in a message.
- Put your finger on a speech bubble
- Choose ‘Select’
- Mark the text you want to copy
- Stick this elsewhere
This is especially useful when you want a certain part from a message such as a telephone number, address, etc. In this article we explain how you can copy and paste it on an iPhone or iPad.
Other changes
- Completely new design by Liquid Glass interface
- End-to-end encryption for RCS
- Possibility of not storing photos made in messages as standard in your photo library
- Type indicators in group discussions
- Immediately add unknown songs in group apps to your contacts
- With live translation, messages in a foreign language are automatically translated (unfortunately not to Dutch)