iOS 26: Create Polls in the Messages App

[MacRumors]

In iOS 26, Apple has introduced several new features for its Messages app, and this one in particular is long overdue. The ability to create polls in conversations has been a mainstay of rival messaging platforms. And now, Messages finally has it too.

You can add up to 12 choices in a poll, and then send it to people in a conversation to vote on. If you send a poll and someone thinks an option is missing, they can even edit it and add in another choice.

For chats where you want to ask people to choose one of multiple options, you can create a poll in the following way:

1. Tap the + button next to the message input field.
2. Select Polls in the vertical list.
3. Fill in your poll's choices (you can have up to 12).
4. Add a message to accompany your poll, then tap the Send button.

People need only tap on an option in the poll to vote for it. An "Add Choice" option also appears below the poll, allowing anyone to add their own choices. In addition, if you long press on a poll, there's an option in the dropdown menu to see Poll Details, where you can view a breakdown of who voted for what.

On devices that support Apple Intelligence, the Messages app will also suggest a poll in relevant conversations. If you're asking the group whether to get pizza, burgers, or pasta, for example, you might see a suggestion to create a poll.

Note that users need to have a device with iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 installed in order to interact with polls in Message conversations. If they're running an older version of iOS, the poll simply won't appear for them in the chat thread.

Article Link: iOS 26: Create Polls in the Messages App

 

[Boeingfan]

I love this, but if a contact sent me a poll instead of just asking me a question I'd tear them a new #$$ hole.

 

[JosephAW]

Now does this only apply to iMessage or RCS as well?

Assuming it doesn’t apply to standard text messaging, besides most group chats on text messaging are limited to less than 20 people in a group chat and some carriers as little as 10. 📱

 

[Treble]

I’m on 26.1 beta sending to a iOS 26 pols won’t show from me to the other person

 

[Mazda 3s]

I guess it's cool if EVERYONE that you interact with has an iPhone. However, in the US, the iPhone has a 57% market share, leaving 43% for Android. This isn't particularly useful to the majority of people if you want full participation in the poll.

I know that with my close group of friends, there are about six of us who have iPhones, and the other four have Android devices of different flavors. It's much more lopsided in our family group chat, as all but one of us have iPhones (we still haven't been able to persuade that one lone holdout).

It would be cool if it worked over RCS.

 

[decimortis]

A little odd that the message portion (ie. the title of the poll) goes underneath the options.

 

[xmach]

I assume the polling functionality also works with macOS 26? (The article currently suggests it only works on iOS and iPadOS 26)

 

[jimbobb24]

I guess it's cool if EVERYONE that you interact with has an iPhone. However, in the US, the iPhone has a 57% market share, leaving 43% for Android. This isn't particularly useful to the majority of people if you want full participation in the poll.

I know that with my close group of friends, there are about six of us who have iPhones, and the other four have Android devices of different flavors. It's much more lopsided in our family group chat, as all but one of us have iPhones (we still haven't been able to persuade that one lone holdout).

It would be cool if it worked over RCS.

It's super useful for apple families though.

 

[jimbobb24]

A little odd that the message portion (ie. the title of the poll) goes underneath the options.

Not having a title is actually crazy. It just starts with options and no question.

 

[BJMRamage]

I love this, but if a contact sent me a poll instead of just asking me a question I'd tear them a new #$$ hole.

This seems to be good for group messages. a one-to-one message just asking a question is probably best.
For group messages not only does it make it easier to track for the creator, but if someone is behind and has to scroll/read a bunch of responses it will stand out ...IF they all have iPhones.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

A little odd that the message portion (ie. the title of the poll) goes underneath the options.

Sort of like messages painted on the road -- from above, road messages look like this poll. But as a driver, you see the bottom part first.

 

[Oestreich Dieter]

I love this, but if a contact sent me a poll instead of just asking me a question I'd tear them a new #$$ hole.

I think this is for group texts, not to send to one single person.

 

[AppleTO]

I guess it's cool if EVERYONE that you interact with has an iPhone. However, in the US, the iPhone has a 57% market share, leaving 43% for Android. This isn't particularly useful to the majority of people if you want full participation in the poll.

I know that with my close group of friends, there are about six of us who have iPhones, and the other four have Android devices of different flavors. It's much more lopsided in our family group chat, as all but one of us have iPhones (we still haven't been able to persuade that one lone holdout).

It would be cool if it worked over RCS.

Not only that, but iPhone users have to be willing to upgrade to iOS 26. haha