Messages is one of the more popular apps on the iPhone, so Apple's not going to let any opportunity to add new features to its built-in messaging tool go by. So even though the focus with this year's iOS 26 update remains squarely on overhauling the iPhone software's interface, Apple still found room to usher in new features for Messages.
Group chats stand to be the big beneficiary from iOS 26, with several additions aimed at sprucing up mobile conversations involving multiple people. And in keeping with iOS 26's themes of simplifying communication, the new version of Messages adds filters that strip out some of the clutter from your list of ongoing conversations.
