iOS 26 introduces an option to send photo previews before full images in Messages, saving data while staying connected.
A subtle yet smart change has landed with iOS 26: Apple is making photo sharing more data-friendly with a new “Send Photo Previews” toggle in Messages.
Spotted in iOS 26 Developer Beta 1, the new feature lives under Settings > Messages and introduces two toggles: Send Photo Previews and Low Quality Image Mode. When enabled, Messages will send a lightweight preview before the full-quality photo, especially useful when Low Data Mode is on.
According to u/Rainy-Sundae, only the preview gets transmitted in low data mode—not the full image—helping cut down bandwidth usage. It’s a subtle quality-of-life upgrade for those who frequently send photos but don’t want to burn through data.
Outro:
Small additions like these prove iOS 26 is thinking about real-world use. Whether you’re on a metered plan or just want things to load faster, this one’s a quiet win.
