# iOS 26: New Group Chat Enhancements in the Messages App
iOS 26 brings a plethora of improvements for iPhone users, especially within the Messages app, now featuring five groundbreaking group chat capabilities. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the new additions.
## 1. Typing Notifications
Typing notifications have been a fundamental element of iMessage for individual chats, and with iOS 26, this functionality is now applicable to group conversations. Users can observe when others are typing in the group, enriching the interaction experience and allowing for more dynamic dialogues.
## 2. Surveys
Collecting feedback from a group has never been simpler with the new Surveys feature. Available through the ‘+’ icon in the bottom-left corner of the Messages app, users can generate surveys to quickly gauge availability, preferences, or any other questions. For those with Apple Intelligence, recommended surveys might even appear above the keyboard, further facilitating the process.
## 3. Apple Cash for Groups
Once restricted to individual chats, Apple Cash now accommodates group conversations in iOS 26. This feature makes it easier to send and request funds among group members, ideal for dividing costs after outings or shared experiences. Users can handle transactions effortlessly within the Messages app.
## 4. Custom Backgrounds
To personalize group chats, iOS 26 introduces the ability to choose custom backgrounds. By clicking the group icon at the top of the chat, users can enter the Backgrounds section, where they can select from default options or upload personal images. This feature creates a more visually stimulating chat atmosphere, with the chosen background visible to all group participants.
## 5. Adding Contacts from Group Chats
iOS 26 simplifies contact management within group conversations. Users can now quickly include unknown numbers in their personal contacts by tapping the group icon and viewing the participant list. An ‘Add to Contacts’ button will display next to unsaved numbers, streamlining the process of connecting with new contacts.
With these new capabilities, iOS 26 enriches the group chat experience in the Messages app, enhancing communication to be more interactive, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing. Which of these enhancements do you find the most valuable?
