Apple released the second public beta of iOS 26 on Aug. 7, and the beta brings a new Liquid Glass design, call screening and more features to the iPhones of developers and beta testers. It also introduced a host of new features to Messages. One of the more useful features is the ability to create a poll in the messaging app.
Group chats can be chaotic, and sometimes it feels like only a few people are talking. Creating a poll in a group chat is a nice way to let everyone voice their opinion on a given action or decision, like where to go for dinner. That way, all the members of the chat can have a say, rather than just the loudest voices.
Here's how to create a poll in Messages and what you should know about the feature.
Don't forget, Apple is still beta testing iOS 26. That means the update might be buggy for you, and your device's battery life may be affected, so it's best to keep potential troubles off your primary device. If you want to try out the beta, I recommend downloading it on a secondary device.
It's also possible that Apple could adjust certain features currently in the iOS 26 betas, including its polls feature in Messages, before the stable version of iOS 26 is released this fall.
How to create a poll in Messages
1. Open Messages and tap into a chat.
2. Tap the plus (+) button to the left of the text box.
3. Tap Polls.
Don't like pineapple on your pizza? That's fine, more for me. Apple/Screenshot by CNET
... continue reading