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iOS 26 adds a lot to the Messages app, like new group chat features<\/a>, spam prevention tools<\/a>, and more<\/a>. Joining those improvements, Messages also got a big AI upgrade in iOS 26 for an essential feature: search.<\/p>\n For many iPhone users, Messages might be among their most-used apps with the most saved data.<\/p>\n Depending on your device settings, Messages can save conversations you had many years ago\u2014complete with links, photos, and other media. That\u2019s why it\u2019s easy for Messages to fill up iCloud storage. <\/p>\n But that vast history of data is only useful if you can find what you\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n And in iOS 26, Apple has made search better than ever in the Messages app so you can.<\/p>\n From Apple\u2019s official iOS 26 documentation for Messages<\/a>:<\/p>\n Improved search Before iOS 26, search could be hit or miss depending on how precise your search terms were.<\/p>\n But now, with natural language support and the ability to show related results, Apple says it\u2019s better than ever.<\/p>\n New search experience is powered by Apple Intelligence<\/p>\n If you\u2019re using iOS 26 on a device that doesn\u2019t support Apple Intelligence, you\u2019ll be stuck with the old search capabilities. That\u2019s because Messages\u2019 upgraded search is one of 20+ new AI features<\/a> in iOS 26.<\/p>\n Just like it has in apps like Photos, Music, and TV, Apple is using LLMs to provide a more user-friendly search experience.<\/p>\n Apple Intelligence-supported models include:<\/p>\n iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max<\/p>\n iPhone Air<\/p>\n iPhone 17<\/p>\n iPhone 17e<\/p>\n iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max<\/p>\n iPhone 16 and 16 Plus<\/p>\n iPhone 16e<\/p>\n iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max<\/p>\n There\u2019s no need to enable a special setting for AI search. As long as your device supports it, and Apple Intelligence as a whole is enabled, you\u2019ll get the upgrade in Messages too.<\/p>\n How has iOS 26\u2019s search in Messages been working for you? Let us know in the comments.<\/p>\n Best iPhone accessories<\/p>\n \t\t FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/iphone-17-pro-cosmic-orange-fernando-hold.jpg\")
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Search with more natural language, like \u201cphotos of mom during our June trip to the beach.\u201d Search will also show results based on related terms to what you typed, like texts about the beach or ocean when you type \u201csand.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/messages-apple-intelligence-icon.jpg\"){kind=icon}
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