Creating a poll in iMessage takes three taps

Open any conversation in iMessage, tap the plus sign next to the text field, then tap Polls. Type your question, add up to as many answer options as you want, and send. Everyone in the conversation sees the poll and can vote by tapping their choice. The results update in real time, and you can see who voted for what.

Polls work on iPhone, iPad, and Mac as long as everyone in the conversation is using iMessage — not SMS or group texts with Android users. If even one person in the group uses Android, the poll won't work for them; they'll see it as a regular message instead.

The feature is built into iMessage itself, so there's nothing to read or install. It's been part of iMessage since iOS 15 (released in 2021), so if your phone is current, you have it.

Key Takeaways

  • Polls appear in iMessage by tapping the plus sign, then Polls, then typing your question and answers.
  • Everyone in the conversation can see the poll and vote by tapping their choice; results show when ready.
  • Polls only work when all participants use iMessage — they appear as text to Android users in the conversation.
  • You can create a poll with as many answer options as you need, and you can see which person voted for which option.

Step-by-step: sending a poll

Start with an open conversation in iMessage. Tap the plus sign (or the circle with a plus) to the left of the text input box at the bottom of the screen. A menu appears with options like Camera, Photos, and Polls.

Tap Polls. A new screen opens with a text field that says "Ask a question." Type your poll question — for example, "What time should we meet?" or "Which restaurant?" — then press Return or tap outside the field.

Below the question, you'll see two answer fields that say "Option 1" and "Option 2." Tap each one and type your answers. If you need more than two options, tap the plus sign below the second option to add a third, fourth, or more. You can have as many options as you want.

Once you've entered your question and at least two answers, tap Send. The poll appears in the conversation as a card that everyone can see and vote on when ready.

What happens after you send a poll

The poll card shows your question and all the answer options. Each person in the conversation can tap any option to vote. Their vote registers when ready, and the card updates to show how many votes each option has received. A small number appears next to each answer showing the vote count.

If you tap on the poll card after sending it, you can see the names of everyone who voted and which option each person chose. This works only for people using iMessage; if someone in the group uses Android, they won't see the poll at all.

You cannot edit or delete a poll after you send it. If you need to change the question or options, you have to send a new poll and ask people to ignore the first one.

Why polls matter for privacy and security

Polls in iMessage are encrypted end-to-end, the same way your regular messages are. Apple cannot see the poll question, the options, or how anyone voted. The votes stay between you and the people in that conversation.

This is different from polls in some other apps, where the company running the app can see every vote and sometimes sells that data or uses it to build a profile of you. With iMessage polls, that doesn't happen — it's just you and your group.

The trade-off is that polls only work within iMessage. If you need to include someone with an Android phone or someone not on iMessage, you'll need to use a different tool, which may not have the same privacy protections.

When polls don't work and what to do instead

Polls fail silently if anyone in the conversation uses Android or a non-iMessage service. They'll see the poll as a text message instead of an interactive card, and they won't be able to vote. If you're in a mixed group, the person with Android will see something like "Poll: What time should we meet?" but no way to tap an answer.

If you need to include Android users, use a different tool. Google Forms, Strawpoll, or even a straightforward text message asking people to reply with their choice all work across platforms. These tools are less private than iMessage polls — the company running them can see your data — but they let everyone participate equally.

Another option is to ask people to reply in the chat with a number or emoji. It's less elegant than a poll, but it works for everyone and stays within iMessage's encryption.

Common mistakes when creating polls

The most common mistake is forgetting that polls don't work for Android users in the group. If you send a poll and one person says they don't see it, that's why. Switch to a text-based method for that conversation.

Another mistake is making the poll question unclear. "What do you think?" is too vague. "Should we meet at 6 or 7?" is clear. The clearer your question, the more useful the results.

People also sometimes add too many options, which makes the poll hard to read and vote on. Two to four options usually work best. If you have more than four things to choose from, consider sending two separate polls instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see who voted for what in a poll?

Yes. Tap the poll card after it's been sent, and you'll see a list of names next to each option showing who voted for it. This works only if everyone in the conversation uses iMessage.

What if I send a poll to a group with an Android user?

The Android user will see the poll as a regular text message with no way to vote. They can reply in the chat, but they won't be able to tap an option. If you need their vote, ask them to reply with their choice as a message.

Can I change a poll after I send it?

No. Once sent, you cannot edit the question or options. If you need to change it, send a new poll and ask people to vote on the new one instead.

Do polls work on Mac or iPad?

Yes, if you're using iMessage on a Mac or iPad, you can create and vote on polls the same way you do on iPhone. Everyone in the conversation sees the same poll regardless of which device they're using.

Are poll votes private from Apple?

Yes. iMessage polls are encrypted end-to-end, so Apple cannot see the poll question, options, or votes. Only the people in the conversation can see the results.