iOS 26: Apple’s SMS update could hurt engagement

Apple’s annual iOS release always sends CRM teams scrambling. Sometimes (see: iOS 15 and 18), email marketing feels the biggest impact. This time, it’s SMS.

The standout change in iOS 26 (note: Apple seems to have changed the numbering system to indicate the year the update will take broad effect) is the introduction of an “Unknown Sender” filter for SMS messages. Early indications suggest it will function like Apple Mail’s Promo tab, which pushed email messages from unrecognized senders out of the primary inbox view.

That’s a significant issue for brands still leaning on broad, non-personalized SMS campaigns. According to my agency’s research, most consumers (even loyal ones) don’t save brand numbers as contacts, meaning many messages risk being filtered.

What to expect (and when)

The official iOS 26 launch is expected this month, with adoption likely to ramp through the fall. Based on past rollouts and the numbering change I mentioned above, it will be the dominant Apple OS well into 2026.

The unknowns: how aggressively Apple filters, whether users adjust settings, and what percentage of marketing messages get diverted. But one thing is sure: the update will reshape SMS performance, especially for brands without strong subscriber relationships and/or a proactive plan to get out in front of the update.

Recommendations to mitigate impact

The best way forward is something good CRM marketers are already very familiar with: more strategic (read: personalized) messaging strategies. The more relevant and time-optimized messages you can deliver, the better chance you have of maintaining delivery into the primary messaging view, whether by getting added as a contact or getting marked as known, which Apple is including as an option within brand SMS messages:

To build the kind of relationship with users that will prompt them to take this action, marketers need to remember that SMS messaging needs to differ slightly from email messaging. Since users are far more likely to get notifications (often with sound included) for new messages on SMS than email, SMS messages are perceived as more intrusive and should be approached with more caution.

The more frequent the messages, the more you’re giving users potential opportunities to opt out, which is the opposite of getting them to add your brand as a known number (or, better yet, as a contact). In our experience managing dozens and dozens of SMS campaigns, messages that stay short and sweet, offer value, stay authentic (note: don’t force “friendly”), and arrive at intuitive, event-based times get the best engagement rates over time.

When crafting a value-focused SMS messaging strategy, remember that your goal is to stand out (with a positive association) from the lineup of SMS texts a user receives. Examples of texts that can achieve this include:

• Offering a coupon during the welcome series.
• Following up on orders with confirmation (and/or shipping confirmation with tracking numbers) is a good opportunity to prompt people to add the brand as a contact to stay updated on shipping status.
• Notifications that products users have browsed are back in stock.
• Notifications that products users have browsed and/or added to their carts are now on sale or have had a price reduction.

Beyond that, I recommend:

• Remembering to encourage users to “add to contacts,” especially post-purchase or post-delivery. The small step of the prompt could make the difference between being seen and being sidelined. It can make an even bigger difference if you test messaging that explains the benefits of SMS subscriptions – new product releases, newly discounted products, subscriber-only sales, etc.
• Testing and monitoring. Watch KPIs closely as rollout progresses, and refine your approach based on what the data shows.

The bottom line

As iOS 18 did for email marketers, iOS 26 aggressively reminds marketers that SMS marketing approaches must evolve to engage users on a more personal level. It’s a big change to a channel that hasn’t weathered many lately—and, as with any big change, it presents an opportunity for the most adaptable brands to gain on their rivals.

In short, brands that move quickly to personalize content and reinforce user-brand relationships, with testing structures to identify and double down on what’s most effective, can turn Apple’s latest update into a chance to gobble up market share. Your SMS engagement rates may dip, but if your competitors’ absolutely plummet, you stand to gain in the bigger picture.