iOS 26 Getting Custom AI-Generated Message Backgrounds, Generative Shortcuts and 'Mixmoji'

[MacRumors]

The iOS 26 Messages app is set to gain support for customized backgrounds for conversations, and it appears that AI will be an option for generating different looks.

According to Nicolás Alvarez, iOS 26 code suggests that users will be able to generate backgrounds for the Messages app using text-based descriptions. The feature appears to use Image Playground, and there will be Image Playground style options that include Animation, Illustration, and Sketch.

The Messages backgrounds will be customizable on a per-conversation basis, so iPhone, iPad, and Mac users will be able to set a different background for each of their message threads. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously said that the backgrounds will sync between all participants in a Messages conversation. So if you set a specific background for an iMessage chat with a friend, the friend will see the same background.

Other messaging apps like WhatsApp support custom background options, so Apple is playing catch-up with the new Messages app background feature.

The Messages app is also set to gain support for polls, automatic translation for incoming messages in other languages, and the option to create Genmoji by combining two existing standard emoji. Apple plans to call the Genmoji mixing feature "Mixmoji." With this feature, you will be able to combine two emoji such as cake and balloons into a new emoji that features a cake and a balloon for a celebration.

Apple has other AI features in the works, such as an Apple Intelligence-powered version of the Shortcuts app. Apple could call the new Shortcuts option "Generative Shortcuts," and it appears it will use natural language to help users create powerful multi-step shortcut actions.

iOS 26 and the new Messages features will be shown off at WWDC 2025, which is set to begin on Monday, June 9 with a 10:00 a.m. keynote event.

Article Link: iOS 26 Getting Custom AI-Generated Message Backgrounds, Generative Shortcuts and 'Mixmoji'

 

[mrat93]

Maybe I’m alone in this but I think Genmoji is the best AI feature in iOS 18. Glad to see it getting better.

 

[TechWhisperer]

Wow, such innovation, taking a feature that existed in MSN Messenger decades ago and presenting it as revolutionary. Truly cutting-edge stuff.

 

[surfzen21]

Backgrounds!!!

WOW, this is almost on par with AIM.

Those were the days. In college and carefree.

 

[rooftop]

The big story is the shortcuts part.

 

[zorinlynx]

More fluff, no substance. C'mon Apple.

 

[cjsuk]

I recently applied for a job at Apple. I think if I get an interview I’m going to just get on the interview call and shake my head slowly.

 

[BelgianChoklit]

Apple's obsessiveness over emoji's has been going for 8 years. It was boring when it started with Memojis when the iPhone X was announced, and it's even more boring now. I hope there's more AI to be announced than useless gimmicks like these.

 

[mxrider88]

They lost the plot.

 

[abatabia]

I’m already rolling my eyes at this bloat. Just fix the bugs.

 

[vegetassj4]

I heard Apple's AI has created a new storage medium to distribute these innovative and exciting new never before seen features:

 

[I7guy]

Can’t wait to see the “mixmoji”.

 

[xander49x]

I will believe this over anything Mark Gurman says, Mark Gurman has no credibility why anyone would listen to him is beyond reasonable.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

This is exactly the trap that I feared they’d fall into. Absolute nonsense ‘AI’ features that are there purely for gloss and a brief moment of surprise.

 

[trajen]

Sounds like a nightmare for people with ADHD. 😂

 

[sevoneone]

More fluff, no substance. C'mon Apple.

Generative Shortcuts is not fluff. Assuming you can tell the phone what it is you want to make a shortcut do/automate and it building it for you is pretty awesome.

 

[spaxxedout]

Not a big fan of their push into user customizations. There’s a tradeoff between flexibility and quality, and they’re going in the wrong direction imo.

 

[cjsuk]

Generative Shortcuts is not fluff. Assuming you can tell the phone what it is you want to make a shortcut do/automate and it building it for you is pretty awesome.

It is fluff.

Much like any generative code, 70% of the time it'll do something reasonably close to what you ask but leave it a mess and because your brain is so atrophied you won't check. The rest of the time it'll kill your family via HomeKit in some cruel 80s science fiction way while putting fried eggs with arms all over your photos with them in as it ticks them off.

We've had a few really really bad near misses with code generation from LLMs. I mean like bad bad.

 

[Donkey Man]

How many “mojis” are there again? I have never used any of that cartoonish nonsense, of course.

 

[hieranonymous]

I’ve always found WhatsApp backgrounds to be tacky and distracting.

 

[adm58]

So if you set a specific background for an iMessage chat with a friend, the friend will see the same background.

So other people can change how my message threads look? Using AI gen slop? Why!?

Can they change my message font to Comic Sans too?

 

[Donkey Man]

Maybe I’m alone in this but I think Genmoji is the best AI feature in iOS 18. Glad to see it getting better.

Pretty sure you’re alone in this.

 

[bluecoast]

Google: You can generate entire videos from a prompt.

Apple: You can generate chat wallpapers from a prompt and remix genAI emojis!

Is Apple doubling down on trying to get their Valley peers to laugh at them?

 

[Isamu Tyson]

wow that will make a huge difference and contribution to messages, and given the performance of Genmoji it will be great to see a background related to my conversations of the day before

 

[ifxf]

When you can’t get real AI features to work, distract the user base with eye candy.