You can't change the color of individual text messages on iPhone, but you can change the color of the entire conversation thread
Apple's Messages app does not let you recolor specific words or sentences within a message. However, you can change the background color of an entire conversation by using the color filter feature in iOS 17 and later. This applies a tint to all messages in that thread, both incoming and outgoing, and the color choice is visible only on your phone — the person you're texting won't see it.
If you're using an older version of iOS, or if you want to send text that appears in different colors to someone else, your options are more limited. You would need to use a third-party messaging app, send a photo of colored text, or use emoji and special characters to create the visual effect of color.
Key Takeaways
- The Messages app color filter in iOS 17 and later changes the background tint of a conversation thread on your phone only, not the actual text color.
- To apply a color filter, open a conversation, tap the person's name at the top, scroll down, and select a color from the filter options.
- The person you're messaging will not see the color filter you applied — it only appears on your device.
- If you want to send colored text to someone else, you'll need to use a third-party app or send a screenshot of text you've colored in another program.
How to apply a color filter to a conversation in iOS 17 and later
Open the Messages app and find the conversation you want to color. Tap the person's name or group name at the top of the screen. This opens a details panel on the right side of the screen (on iPad) or slides up a menu (on iPhone).
Scroll down in this panel until you see the color filter options. You'll see a row of colored circles — typically including options like red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and pink. Tap the color you want to apply. The entire conversation thread will immediately display with that color tint in the background.
To remove the color filter, open the conversation details again and tap the circle with no color (usually shown as a blank or white circle at the start of the color row).
What happens if you're using iOS 16 or earlier
Versions of iOS before iOS 17 do not include the conversation color filter feature. If you're on iOS 16 or earlier, you cannot change the background color of a conversation thread within the Messages app itself.
You can check your iOS version by opening Settings, tapping General, and selecting About. If you see a version number lower than 17, you're on an older version. To access the color filter feature, you would need to update to iOS 17 or later, which is available on iPhone XS and newer models.
Sending colored text to someone else
If you want the person receiving your message to see colored text, the Messages app does not support this directly. Your options are to use a different messaging platform, create the colored text in another app and send it as an image, or use a third-party keyboard that offers text styling.
Some messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Facebook Messenger offer text formatting options such as bold, italic, or monospace text, though not full color control. If you need actual colored text, you can open a notes app or design app on your iPhone, create the text in color, take a screenshot, and send that image through Messages.
Why the color filter only shows on your phone
The color filter is a personal organizational tool, similar to how you might highlight a paper document. It exists only in your Messages app as a way to visually organize or distinguish conversations that matter to you. Apple does not send this filter information to the other person, so they see the conversation in the standard gray and white bubbles regardless of what color you've chosen.
This design keeps the feature simple and prevents confusion — the other person won't wonder why their messages appear tinted or worry that something is wrong with their phone.
Using emoji and special characters as a workaround
If you want to add visual interest to a text message without a third-party app, you can use colored emoji or special Unicode characters. For example, you might use colored squares (🟥 🟧 🟨 🟩 🟦 🟪), hearts in different colors, or other emoji to create a colorful effect.
This approach works on any iPhone and any iOS version, and the recipient will see the emoji exactly as you sent them. However, this is not the same as changing the color of actual text letters — it's a workaround using symbols instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person I'm texting see the color I applied to our conversation?
No. The color filter is only visible on your phone. The other person sees the conversation in the standard message bubbles and has no way to know you've applied a color filter to it.
Can I change the color of just one message instead of the whole conversation?
No. The color filter in iOS 17 applies to the entire conversation thread. You cannot color individual messages. If you need to highlight a specific message, you can take a screenshot and edit it in a photo app, then send that as an image.
What if I update to iOS 17 but don't see the color filter option?
Make sure you're opening a one-on-one or group conversation and tapping the person's or group's name at the very top of the screen. The color filter option appears in the details panel that slides up or appears on the side. If you still don't see it, try closing and reopening the Messages app.
Can I use a third-party app to send colored text messages?
Yes. Apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and others offer text formatting or styling options. However, standard SMS text messages through the Messages app do not support color. If both you and the recipient use the same third-party app, you may have more formatting options available.
Does the color filter work on iPad and Mac?
Yes. If you're using iOS 17 or later on iPad, or macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later on Mac, the color filter feature works the same way. Open a conversation, tap or click the person's name at the top, and select a color from the filter options.