The iOS 26 Messages app is ready to gain support for customized backgrounds for conversations, and it seems that AI might be an choice for producing totally different seems to be.
In accordance with Nicolás Alvarez, iOS 26 code means that customers will have the ability to generate backgrounds for the Messages app utilizing text-based descriptions. The function seems to make use of Image Playground, and there might be Picture Playground model choices that embrace Animation, Illustration, and Sketch.
The Messages backgrounds might be customizable on a per-conversation foundation, so iPhone, iPad, and Mac customers will have the ability to set a special background for every of their message threads. Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman beforehand mentioned that the backgrounds will sync between all individuals in a Messages dialog. So in the event you set a particular background for an iMessage chat with a good friend, the good friend will see the identical background.
Different messaging apps like WhatsApp assist customized background choices, so Apple is taking part in catch-up with the brand new Messages app background function.
The Messages app can be set to realize assist for polls, automated translation for incoming messages in different languages, and the choice to create Genmoji by combining two current customary emoji. Apple plans to name the Genmoji mixing function “Mixmoji.” With this function, it is possible for you to to mix two emoji comparable to cake and balloons into a brand new emoji that incorporates a cake and a balloon for a celebration.
Apple has different AI options within the works, comparable to an Apple Intelligence-powered model of the Shortcuts app. Apple may name the brand new Shortcuts choice “Generative Shortcuts,” and it seems it would use pure language to assist customers create highly effective multi-step shortcut actions.
iOS 26 and the brand new Messages options might be proven off at WWDC 2025, which is ready to start on Monday, June 9 with a ten:00 a.m. keynote occasion.