Apple iMessage Gets a Huge Upgrade: Custom Backgrounds, Polls, and Apple Cash Integration

Apple Unveils Major iMessage Upgrades at WWDC2025 CUPERTINO, CA – June 9, 2025 – Apple made a splash at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC2025) yesterday, announcing significant improvements to its iMessage platform. The updates focus on enhancing group communication and simplifying financial transactions among users. One of the key features is the introduction of customizable backgrounds for group chats. "When you select a background, it appears for everyone in the conversation to enjoy," explained an Apple spokesperson during the presentation. This addition allows for a more personalized and expressive group messaging experience. Further enhancing group dynamics, Apple introduced polls directly within iMessage. This feature allows users to easily gauge opinions and make group decisions. "Instead of dealing with a flurry of responses, we're introducing a delightful way to visualize what people want," the spokesperson added. The AI-powered system can even suggest polls based on the conversation context. Finally, Apple integrated Apple Cash into group chats, enabling seamless peer-to-peer payments. Now, splitting bills or settling up for shared expenses becomes much simpler directly within the conversation. These updates to iMessage reflect Apple's ongoing commitment to improving user experience and streamlining communication. The new features are expected to roll out with the next iOS update, adding a fresh and efficient layer to how people connect and interact.