Apple released iOS 17 on Sept.15, a few months after the company announced it at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June. The update introduces a handful of new features to your iPhone, like a new Liquid Glass design, new ringtones and more. it also introduced a host of new features to Messages, including 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.

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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.

Apple Messages Polls: A Complete Guide

Apple’s Messages app has gained a new feature: polls. This allows users to quickly gather opinions from friends and family directly within their conversations. This guide explains how to create, vote in, and understand the results of Messages polls, as well as what limitations currently exist. As of September 21, 2024, polls are a relatively new addition, and their functionality is continually evolving.

How to Create a Poll in Messages

Creating a poll in Messages is straightforward, but requires a specific gesture. Here’s how:

1. Open a Messages conversation: Start a new conversation or open an existing one.
2. Long Press the Send Button: Instead of simply tapping the send button (the up arrow), press and hold it.
3. Select “Poll”: A menu will appear. Choose the “Poll” option.
4. Write Your Question: Type the question you want to ask.
5. Add Options: Messages will automatically suggest two options. you can add up to four options by tapping “add Option.”
6. Send the Poll: Tap “Send” to share the poll with the conversation.

How to Vote in a Poll

Voting in a poll is equally simple:

1. open the Poll: Locate the poll within the Messages conversation.
2. Tap Your Choice: Tap the option that represents your vote.
3. View Results: after voting, you’ll immediately see the current poll results, including the percentage of votes each option has received.

Understanding Poll Results

Once votes are cast, the poll displays the results in a clear, visual format. Each option shows the percentage of votes it has received. The results are visible to anyone in the conversation who has voted or viewed the poll. It’s critically important to note that voting is not anonymous; participants can see who voted for which option.

Limitations and Things to Know

• iOS 17.2 Required: polls are only available on devices running iOS 17.2 or later, iPadOS 17.2 or later, and macOS Sonoma 14.3 or later. MacRumors provides a detailed overview of the feature’s release.
• No Anonymous Voting: Currently,Apple Messages polls do not offer an anonymous voting option.
• Limited options: You can only create polls with a maximum of four options.
• No End Date: Polls do not automatically close or have an end date. They remain open indefinitely unless manually closed by the poll creator (currently, there is no official way to close a poll).
• Platform Restrictions: Polls are currently exclusive to Apple’s iMessage ecosystem. They won’t work in SMS/MMS text messages.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: Can I edit a poll after sending it?
• A: No, currently, you cannot edit a poll after it has been sent.
• Q: Can I see who voted for each option?
• A: Yes, you can see who voted for each option within the poll results.
• Q: Will I receive a notification when someone votes in my poll?
• A: Yes, you will receive a notification when someone votes in your poll.
• Q: Does this feature work on all Apple devices?
• A: It works on iPhones, iPads, and Macs running the required operating system versions (iOS 17.2+,iPadOS 17.2+, macOS Sonoma 14.3+).

Key Takeaways

• Apple Messages polls are a quick and easy way to gather opinions.
• The feature requires iOS 17.2 or later.
• Voting is not anonymous.
• Polls have a limited number of options (maximum of four).
• There is currently no way to set an end date or close a poll.

Apple’s Messages polls are a welcome addition to the platform, offering a convenient way to engage in quick decision-making with friends and family.While the feature is still relatively new and has some limitations, it’s likely to evolve with future software updates, potentially adding features like anonymous voting and poll scheduling.