The Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is an annual event held by Apple to introduce new software, product updates, and emerging technology. As a certified Apple developer, we watch the announcements carefully, as many of the updates to iOS programs and features coming this fall could affect smartphone data discovery and compliance regulations.

During WWDC 25, Apple unveiled several updates to the Messages platform that will come in the new iOS 26, with numerous new and exciting features for iPhone users.

First, users can now screen messages from unknown senders. The system sends anonymous messages to a special folder. Users can then mark the number as known, ask for more information, or delete it.

In addition, Apple is introducing an AI-powered live translation feature that is integrated into Messages, FaceTime and Phone calls to help users communicate across languages. Finally, Apple Intelligence can suggest a poll when it might be helpful in a conversation.

While exciting for general users, these features will pose challenges for smartphone data collection. The overarching concern is that some of the updates could compromise data, reveal protected information, or have compatibility issues with current collection capabilities or legal requirements.

ModeOne is the first patented SaaS solution to offer fully remote mobile data collection with precise targeting capabilities and selective data collection, including data in messages. The specialized process filters information by date range, participant, or conversation thread, ensuring only relevant data is captured.

Part of our mission is to evaluate and test all iOS and Android enhancements to ensure security, compatibility, and continuity. The crucial thing for partners to know is that our collection solution will remain fully compatible with iOS 26 and beyond.

Five WWDC 25 Announced Features To Watch

While many new features were announced, here are five key features we will be evaluating and testing in the updated Messages platform that may impact smartphone data collection:

• Custom Thread Backgrounds: The messaging update adds a new UI (user interface) layer to message threads. We are testing to see if this can be used for data leakage or communicating protected information that isn’t captured in a traditional message collection.
• Polls in Group Chats: Apple’s iOS 26 update introduces interactive content in conversations. We’re testing how poll objects are stored and retrievable via device data extraction.
• Apple Cash in Group Chats: Payments can be embedded in group threads in messages. As this may be relevant in cases involving financial activity, we are evaluating how the data is stored and its compatibility with our collections process.
• Typing Indicators in Group Chats: Real-time indicators could affect message timing logs, which are often relevant in timeline reconstruction. We are testing what additional metadata may be available in group chats that record this activity and what other artifacts may be available as a side-effect to this new feature.
• On-Device Spam Detection and Unknown Sender Filtering: Apple is increasing client-side filtering and categorization. We’re validating that data integrity remains intact even with new labeling or sorting and how these labels can be collected.

The Big Picture: We’re On Top Of The Changes

ModeOne stays ahead of mobile OS updates and acts quickly to evolve with new products and features. This frees our clients to focus on their casework and investigations. Our remote collection framework will remain compatible with iOS 26—and we’ll continue to support defensible, targeted collections with every release.

We will keep our clients and users updated on any developments and changes to Messages or other relevant features moving forward.

Have questions about these new features and how ModeOne ensures compatibility with all OS? Get in touch with our team.