You can change text bubble colors in Messages, but only for individual conversations and only if both people use iMessage
iPhone lets you pick a custom color for the message bubbles in any single conversation, but the feature works differently depending on whether you are using iMessage (Apple's encrypted messaging) or regular SMS text messages. If you are texting someone with an Android phone or using SMS, the bubble color stays blue for you and green for them — you cannot change it. If both of you have iMessage turned on, you can set a custom color for that conversation that appears only on your phone.
The color change is visual only and does not affect how the other person sees the conversation. They will see whatever color they have set for you, or the default colors if they have not customized anything. This is a display setting on your device, not something that changes the actual message or how it travels.
Key Takeaways
- Text bubble colors can only be customized for iMessage conversations, not for SMS or MMS text messages sent to Android phones.
- You change the color by opening the conversation, swiping up from the bottom of the screen, and tapping the color or emoji icon in the quick actions menu.
- The color you pick appears only on your phone and does not change how the other person sees the conversation.
- You can also add a custom emoji reaction or change the name of the conversation in the same menu.
How to change the bubble color for an iMessage conversation
Open the Messages app and find the conversation you want to customize. Tap and hold on the conversation name at the top of the screen, or swipe up from the bottom of the message thread itself. A menu will appear with several options, including a row of colored circles or hearts.
Tap one of the color options — red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, or pink. The bubbles in that conversation will when ready change to your chosen color on your phone only. If you want to undo this, open the same menu and tap the default gray or white circle to return to the standard appearance.
On newer iPhones running iOS 17 or later, you may also see emoji options in this menu. Tapping an emoji will add that emoji as a visual marker for the conversation instead of changing the bubble color itself.
Why the color only appears on your phone
The color customization is stored in your Messages settings, not in the message data itself. When you send a message, the other person receives the text content only — they do not receive information about what color you have chosen to display it in. This is why the other person will see whatever color they have set for your conversation, or the default colors if they have not customized anything.
This design means you can organize your conversations visually without affecting anyone else's experience. If you want to keep track of important people or group chats, assigning them different colors is a way to do that on your own device.
The difference between iMessage and SMS text bubbles
iMessage conversations show blue bubbles on your phone. SMS and MMS messages show green bubbles. This color difference is automatic and tells you which type of message was sent — it is not something you set yourself. When you customize a bubble color, you are only changing the appearance of iMessage conversations.
If you try to customize the color of a conversation with someone who does not have iMessage (usually an Android user), the option will not appear or will be grayed out. The conversation will continue to show green bubbles, and you cannot change that color. The only way to customize the bubble color is if both people are using iMessage.
What happens if someone turns off iMessage
If you have customized the color for someone's conversation and they later turn off iMessage, your color customization will remain in your settings, but the bubbles will turn green because the messages are now SMS instead of iMessage. If they turn iMessage back on, the color will return to whatever you set it to.
You do not need to do anything when this happens — the color setting stays saved. The visual change happens automatically based on whether the conversation is using iMessage or SMS at that moment.
Other ways to organize conversations in Messages
Beyond changing bubble color, you can pin important conversations to the top of your Messages list by swiping left on a conversation and tapping the pin icon. You can also mute notifications for a conversation so you see the messages but do not get alerts, or you can create a custom name for a group chat that is different from the people's actual names.
If you want to find a specific conversation quickly, you can search by person's name or keyword in the search bar at the top of the Messages app. These tools work alongside color customization to help you stay organized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the color of text bubbles for SMS messages?
No. Color customization only works for iMessage conversations. SMS messages (green bubbles) cannot have their color changed. If you want to customize the appearance, both people in the conversation need to have iMessage turned on.
Will the other person see the color I chose?
No. The color appears only on your phone. The other person will see whatever color they have set for your conversation, or the default colors if they have not customized anything. The color customization does not travel with the message.
What if I change my mind about the color?
Open the conversation again, swipe up from the bottom or tap and hold the conversation name, and tap the default gray or white circle to return to the standard appearance. You can change it as many times as you want.
Can I use a custom emoji instead of a color?
On iOS 17 and later, yes. In the same menu where you pick a color, you will see emoji options. Tapping an emoji will mark that conversation with that emoji instead of changing the bubble color. This works the same way — it appears only on your phone.
Does changing the bubble color affect the actual messages?
No. Changing the color is purely visual and affects only how the conversation appears on your device. The messages themselves are unchanged, and the other person cannot see or be affected by your color choice.