iMessage Gets Polls in iOS 26—Here’s How to Create and Manage Them

With iOS 26, Apple has finally added a native polling feature to the Messages app, making it easier to collect opinions, make decisions, or have fun in group chats—without relying on third-party apps. In this guide, you’ll learn how to create, customize, and manage polls directly within iMessage. Plus, if you haven’t updated yet, we’ll show you how to use third-party apps to create polls that work seamlessly across devices.

Why Poll in iMessage Group Chats?

From choosing a restaurant to planning a weekend getaway, group chats can become chaotic. Polls offer a smarter way to gather feedback. Here’s why iMessage polls in iOS 26 are a game changer:

• Quick Decisions: Avoid endless back-and-forth messages.
• Built-In Simplicity: No need for extra apps—polls are baked right into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS 26.
• Secure & Private: Just like messages, iMessage polls are end-to-end encrypted.
• Fun & Interactive: Polls spark engagement in any group—be it friends, family, or coworkers.

Whether you are coordinating with friends, family, or colleagues, polls will help streamline group chats and make them more fun. Let’s talk about how to create and manage polls. 

Prerequisites for Using iMessage Polls

Before you begin:

• All participants must have an Apple device running iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS 26.
• Everyone in the group must be using iMessage (blue bubbles), not SMS (green bubbles).

If you happen to be new to iMessage group chats, here is a quick way to start from scratch.

1. Open the Messages app.  
2. Tap on the Compose icon (the pencil and paper icon).  
3. Add members by typing their names or by choosing contacts using the + icon. 
4. Send a message to start the group chat. 

Now that you’re ready, let’s create a poll! 

How to Create a Poll in iMessage Group Chats on iOS 26

1. Open the Messages app and go to a group chat (or start a new one).
2. Tap the “+” icon next to the text field and choose Poll (bar graph icon).
   
   
3. Type your question. For example, “Where should we meet for dinner?”
   
   
4. Tap the Choice 1 box and enter the first option. Add at least two options for the poll to work.  
   
   
5. As you add more options, you will see the next Choice box appear. You can add up to 12 options. 
6. To rearrange options, tap and hold the option and drag it to your preferred order. 
7. Once you’re happy with the options, tap the send button. 

The poll will be sent as an interactive message in the conversation thread. It will show the sender’s name at the top. 

• Group members can vote in the poll to vote by selecting their preferred option(s). 
• Results are updated in real-time, increasing the certainty of the option bar in the chat.
• Whenever someone votes, you will see their profile picture next to the option. So, you can easily track who prefers what. 

Managing Your Polls

After sending a poll, you can still make changes to it. Here’s how to manage your poll: 

• Add more options: Open the poll in the chat, tap Add Choice, and enter the new option.
  
   
• Delete the Poll: Long-press the message → tap Undo Send.
• View details: Long-press the poll → tap Poll Details to see who voted.
  
  

Bonus: iMessage + Apple Intelligence

Thanks to Apple Intelligence, iOS 26 can suggest polls based on group conversations. For example, if someone asks “Game night this weekend?” you might see a Create Poll suggestion above your keyboard—saving even more time.

Can’t Use iOS 26 Polls? Try These iMessage Polling Apps Instead

If you haven’t upgraded to iOS 26, use the Polls for iMessage app. I’ll demonstrate the steps using the Polls for iMessage app, which is free to use with optional in-app purchases.

It lets you create customizable polls with multiple-choice options. Moreover, group members don’t need to install the app to participate in voting. The app also offers universal polls that work across all devices.

First, install the app on your iPhone. Open the App Store, tap the Search icon at the bottom right corner, and type Polls for iMessage. Then, tap the Get button to download and install the app. Once installed, it will automatically appear in your iMessage app drawer.

To add a poll to the iMessage group:

1. Open the Messages app and start or open an existing group conversation.
2. Tap the plus sign next to the text input box.
3. Swipe up and select Polls.
4. Now, tap Get Started to create a new poll.
5. Enter your poll title (e.g., “Where should we go for dinner?”) and tap Next.
6. Write an option and tap Create Another to type the next option. Repeat the process to create multiple-choice answer options (e.g., “Italian,” “Mexican,” “Sushi”).
   
   
7. You can remove options by tapping the minus sign next to it. To rearrange the order of choices, tap and hold the hamburger icon and drag it.
8. Once you’re satisfied, tap Send Poll.

Group members can now tap the poll, select their choice, and vote. Let’s see how to manage poll settings in iMessage.

You can even customize:

To edit your poll settings, tap the Settings icon in the bottom right corner. Four options will appear. By default, all options are enabled, and you can disable the ones you don’t want to use. Now, let’s take a look at these options.

• Add options – This option allows participants to add additional options. However, they cannot modify your original options.
• See who voted – This option allows everyone to see who is voting for which option. For sensitive topics, you can disable this option to ensure privacy. 
• Declare a winner – If this option is enabled, the system automatically declares a winner after the voting has been concluded or a specified time has elapsed. 
• Multiple votes – This option would allow each voter to select more than one option. 

Once you modify the poll’s content, exit the Settings page by tapping Back in the top left corner. Then, hit Send and watch as people in the group interact with your poll.

Tips for Creating Better Polls

To make your polls engaging and effective, keep these best practices in mind: 

• Limit choices to 3–5 to avoid clutter.
• Use clear, specific questions.
• Add a time limit in your message to get faster responses.
• Mention group members to alert them to vote.

Troubleshooting Common Issues 

If you run into problems, here are some fixes: 

• Poll not showing:  
  • Ensure your device is updated to iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS 26.  
  • If your group chat includes non-iMessage users (green bubbles), you can’t send polls. 
  • Restart the Messages app or your device if needed. 

• Poll not updating:
  • Check your internet connection.
  • Force-close and reopen the Messages app.

Take Decisions Quickly with iMessage Polls

The iOS 26 polling feature in iMessage makes group coordination smoother, smarter, and more secure. Whether it’s picking a movie, planning a trip, or deciding what to order, polls help you cut the noise and make decisions faster—right from your chat.

Watch Video: How to create a poll in iMessage

Don’t miss these:

• How to use bubble and screen effects in iMessage on iPhone
• How to send text message (SMS) instead of iMessage on iPhone
• Best iMessage alternatives
• iOS 26 Messages App All the New Features