Where to find background settings on your phone
The steps to change your text message background depend on which phone you use and which messaging app you have open. On iPhone, you adjust the background through the Settings app, not through Messages itself. On Android, the option lives inside your default messaging app — usually Google Messages, Samsung Messages, or whatever came with your phone.
Neither phone lets you change the background of individual conversations from within a chat. You change the look of all your messages at once, or you pick a different background for each conversation, but the setting is always in the same place: your phone's settings or your messaging app's settings menu.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users open Settings, tap Messages, then choose a background color or blur effect under Message Bubbles.
- Android users open their messaging app, go to Settings, and look for Display, Themes, or Conversation settings depending on which app they use.
- Most phones let you set a background for all conversations or pick a different one for each person you text.
- Some messaging apps let you upload your own photo as a background; others offer only preset colors or blur effects.
- Changing the background does not affect how the other person sees your messages — it only changes what you see on your screen.
Changing the background on iPhone
Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Messages. Tap it. You will see an option called Message Bubbles near the top. Tap that. You now have three choices: a color tint, a blur effect, or no change at all. Pick the one you want and tap it. The change takes effect immediately in any conversation you open.
If you want a different background for a specific person, open that conversation in the Messages app, tap their name at the top, then tap Info. Scroll down and tap Customize. From there you can set a color or effect just for that conversation. This overrides the default you set in Settings.
iPhone does not let you upload a photo as a message background. You are limited to the preset colors and blur effects Apple provides. If you want a photo background, you would need to use a third-party messaging app like WhatsApp or Telegram instead.
Changing the background on Android with Google Messages
Open Google Messages and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Tap Settings. Scroll down and tap Display. You will see options for Theme — choose between Light, Dark, or System Default. This changes the overall look of your message bubbles and background.
To change the background for a single conversation, open that conversation and tap the three dots in the top right. Tap Customize conversation. From here you can pick a color, emoji, or photo to represent that conversation. This is mainly a visual label for the conversation itself, not the background behind the message text.
Google Messages does not currently offer a way to change the background behind your actual message bubbles the way iPhone does. The theme setting affects the overall darkness or lightness of the app, but not a custom background image.
Changing the background on Android with Samsung Messages
Open Samsung Messages and tap the three lines (menu) in the top left. Tap Settings. Look for Display or Themes. Samsung often offers preset themes with different color schemes and bubble styles. Pick the one you want and tap it to apply it to all your conversations.
To customize a single conversation, open it and tap the three dots in the top right. Look for an option like Customize or Conversation settings. From there you may be able to pick a color or theme just for that chat. The exact wording and location depend on which version of Samsung Messages you have.
Samsung Messages sometimes lets you upload a photo as a conversation background, but this feature is not available in all versions. If you do not see the option, update the app from the Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store.
Changing the background on Android with other messaging apps
If you use a different default messaging app — such as one that came pre-installed on your phone or one you downloaded — the steps will be slightly different. Open the app and look for a Settings or Preferences menu, usually found by tapping three dots or lines in the top corner. From there, search for Display, Themes, or Appearance.
Most third-party messaging apps follow the same pattern: a global theme setting that changes all conversations, and a per-conversation setting that lets you customize individual chats. The names of these menus vary, but the concept is the same. If you cannot find the option, check the app's help section or search the app store for the app name plus "how to change background".
What happens when you change your message background
Changing your message background only affects what you see on your phone. The person you are texting sees the messages exactly as they normally do on their own phone. If you set a dark theme and they use a light theme, you will see dark bubbles and they will see light bubbles, even though you are texting each other in the same conversation.
This is true whether you change the background for all conversations or just one. The change is local to your device and does not travel through the text message itself. It is purely a display preference, like changing the font size or the brightness of your screen.
Troubleshooting background changes that do not work
If you changed the background but do not see the change, close the Messages app completely and open it again. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to show the new setting. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or swipe down from the top right on newer models) and swipe the Messages app away, then tap Messages to reopen it.
On Android, open your phone's Settings, tap Apps or Application Manager, find your messaging app, and tap Force Stop. Then open the app again. If you still do not see the change, restart your phone. A restart clears the app's cache and often fixes display issues.
If you are trying to set a background for a single conversation and it is not working, make sure you are tapping the right menu. On iPhone, you must tap the person's name at the top of the conversation, not the three dots. On Android, the three dots menu is usually the right place, but some apps hide the option in a different spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my own photo as a message background?
On iPhone, no — you are limited to Apple's preset colors and blur effects. On Android, it depends on your messaging app. Samsung Messages sometimes allows it, and third-party apps like WhatsApp or Telegram do. Check your app's settings under Display or Themes to see if an upload option exists.
Will the other person see my custom background?
No. Your background is only visible on your phone. The other person sees the messages in whatever theme or background they have set on their own device. Changing your background does not change how your messages appear to them.
Can I set a different background for each person I text?
Yes, on both iPhone and Android. Open an individual conversation, tap the person's name or the menu icon, and look for a Customize or Conversation Settings option. You can then set a unique background, color, or theme just for that conversation.
What if my messaging app does not have a background option?
Some basic messaging apps do not include background customization. If yours does not, check the app store to see if an update is available — the feature may have been added in a newer version. Otherwise, you can download a different messaging app that offers more customization options.
Does changing the background use more battery?
No. A background color or theme change does not noticeably affect battery life. If you use a dark theme on an OLED screen (common on newer phones), it may save a tiny amount of battery because dark pixels use less power, but the difference is minimal.