How to Change Bubble Color on iPhone Messages

Where to find the bubble color setting

Bubble color on iPhone is controlled through the Messages app settings, not through a universal iPhone setting. Open the Messages app, then go to Settings > Messages. The color options appear under "Message Bubbles" or "Bubble Color," depending on your iOS version. You will see preset color choices — typically blue (iMessage), green (SMS), and sometimes additional accent colors if you are using iOS 17 or later.

If you do not see a bubble color option in your Messages settings, your iOS version may not support this feature yet. Bubble color customization became available in iOS 17, released in September 2023. If you are running an older version, you can check your current iOS version by opening Settings > General > About and looking at the "Software Version" line.

Key Takeaways

Bubble color settings are found in the Messages app, not in general iPhone settings, under Settings > Messages.
iOS 17 and later versions support bubble color changes; older versions do not have this feature.
You can choose from preset colors, and some iOS versions allow you to pick custom accent colors that affect message bubbles.
Changing your bubble color affects only how your messages appear on your own phone — the recipient sees your messages in their default color.

How to change the color step by step

Open the Messages app on your iPhone. Tap Settings at the bottom of the screen (or swipe left on the conversation list to reveal the Settings button). Scroll down until you see "Message Bubbles" or "Bubble Color." Tap on it to see the available color options.

Select the color you want. The options typically include blue for iMessages (messages sent to other iPhone users over internet), green for SMS text messages (sent over cellular), and any custom accent colors you have set up in your iPhone's general settings. Once you select a color, the change takes effect when ready. Return to your conversations and you will see your outgoing messages in the new bubble color.

What happens when you change bubble color

When you change your bubble color, only you see the change on your phone. The person you are texting will still see your messages in whatever color their own iPhone displays them — usually blue for iMessages and green for SMS. Your color choice is a display preference on your device only and does not transmit to other phones.

If you are texting someone with an Android phone or a very old iPhone, your messages will appear as green SMS bubbles on your screen regardless of what color you select, because those devices do not support iMessage. The color setting only affects how iMessages (sent between Apple devices) and SMS messages appear to you.

Using custom accent colors for bubbles

If your iPhone is running iOS 17 or later, you can create custom accent colors that affect your message bubbles. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Accent Color and choose a custom color. This accent color will then be available as an option in your Messages bubble color settings. You can create multiple accent colors and switch between them without affecting any other part of your phone's appearance.

Custom accent colors are separate from your iPhone's overall theme color. Setting a custom accent color for messages does not change the color of buttons, links, or highlights elsewhere on your phone unless you specifically choose to explore that accent color system-wide.

Troubleshooting bubble color changes that do not work

If you change the bubble color but do not see the change in your conversations, close the Messages app completely and reopen it. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or swipe down from the top right on newer iPhones) to access the app switcher, find Messages, and swipe it away. Then open Messages again from your home screen.

If the bubble color option does not appear in your Messages settings at all, check that you are running iOS 17 or later. Go to Settings > General > About and confirm your software version. If you are on an older version and want this feature, you can update your iPhone by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Make sure your phone is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi before starting an update, as the process can take 20 minutes or longer.

Bubble color versus conversation themes

Bubble color is different from conversation themes, which are visual effects that appear when you send a message (like balloons, confetti, or fireworks). Bubble color changes only the color of the message bubble itself — the rounded rectangle that contains your text. Conversation themes are animations that play when you send a message and are set separately through the conversation details.

To set a conversation theme, open a conversation, tap the person's name or group name at the top, scroll down to "Theme," and select an effect. Themes are conversation-specific, so you can have different effects for different people. Bubble color, by contrast, applies to all your conversations at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different bubble colors for different people?

No. The bubble color setting applies to all your outgoing messages across all conversations. You cannot set one color for messages to one person and a different color for another person. The setting is device-wide, not conversation-specific.

Why do my bubbles look blue on my phone but green on my friend's phone?

This happens when you are sending SMS text messages instead of iMessages. On your phone, you may have set your bubble color to blue, but SMS messages always appear as green bubbles on the recipient's phone because that is the standard color for text messages. iMessages (sent between Apple devices) appear blue on both phones.

Does changing bubble color affect how my messages look in group chats?

Your bubble color change applies to group chats the same way it applies to one-on-one conversations. Your outgoing messages will appear in the color you selected. Other people in the group will see your messages in whatever color their own phone displays them, which is usually blue for iMessages.

What if I do not see the bubble color option even though I have iOS 17?

Try restarting your iPhone. Hold the power button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears, then slide to turn off. Wait 10 seconds, then hold the power button again until the Apple logo appears. After restart, open Messages and check Settings again. If the option still does not appear, try updating to the latest iOS 17 version through Settings > General > Software Update.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.