Where to find the background setting in your messaging app

The steps depend on which messaging app you use. If you're using Google Messages (the default on most Android phones), open the app and tap the three horizontal lines in the top left corner. Select Settings, then tap Advanced, then Conversation colors. From there you can choose a preset color or create a custom one.

If you use Samsung Messages on a Samsung phone, open the app and long-press any conversation thread. Tap the three dots menu at the top, then select Change conversation color. A color palette will appear — tap the color you want.

For WhatsApp, the process is different because WhatsApp doesn't have a built-in background color feature for individual chats. Instead, you can change the overall app theme by going to Settings > Chats > Chat wallpaper, which applies to all conversations at once.

Key Takeaways

  • Google Messages lets you set a background color per conversation through Settings > Advanced > Conversation colors.
  • Samsung Messages uses a long-press menu on any conversation to access the color picker.
  • WhatsApp applies wallpaper changes to all chats together, not individual ones, through Settings > Chats > Chat wallpaper.
  • Some third-party messaging apps have their own background settings buried in their preferences — check the app's settings menu if the standard locations don't work.

Changing the background in Google Messages

Open Google Messages and tap the three-line menu icon in the top left. Go to Settings and scroll down to find Advanced. Tap it, then select Conversation colors. You'll see a list of preset colors — tap any one to explore it to a specific conversation.

To explore a color to just one conversation, open that conversation first, then tap the three dots in the top right corner of the conversation thread. Select Conversation color and pick your choice. The color will only affect that one thread, not all your messages.

If you want a custom color instead of a preset, some versions of Google Messages let you tap a plus icon or custom option to enter a specific hex color code. This varies by phone model and Android version, so check whether that option appears in your Conversation colors menu.

Changing the background in Samsung Messages

On a Samsung phone, open Samsung Messages and find the conversation you want to change. Long-press (hold your finger on) the conversation thread until it highlights. A menu will appear at the top of the screen with several icons.

Tap the three vertical dots (more options) at the top right. Select Change conversation color from the dropdown menu. A color palette will pop up — tap the color you want to use. The background of that conversation will change when ready.

If you don't see the color option, make sure you're using the latest version of Samsung Messages. Check the Google Play Store or Samsung Galaxy Store for updates to the app.

Setting a wallpaper background in WhatsApp

WhatsApp doesn't let you color individual conversations, but you can set a wallpaper that appears behind all your chats. Open WhatsApp and tap the three dots menu in the top right corner. Go to Settings > Chats > Chat wallpaper.

You'll see options to use a photo from your phone's gallery, a solid color, or one of WhatsApp's built-in wallpapers. Tap My photos to pick an image, Colors to choose a solid background, or scroll through the preset designs. Once you select one, it applies to every conversation in the app.

If you want different backgrounds for different chats, WhatsApp doesn't support that natively. You would need to use a third-party messaging app instead.

Using third-party messaging apps with custom backgrounds

Apps like Textra, Pulse SMS, and Chomp SMS offer more control over individual conversation backgrounds than the default Android options. Each app stores its settings in a different place, but the general path is: open the app, find Settings, look for Appearance, Themes, or Chat colors, then select a conversation to customize.

Textra, for example, lets you long-press a conversation and tap the color icon to change just that thread's background. Pulse SMS has a conversation settings menu where you can pick a background image or color for each chat separately. Check the app's help section or settings menu if you're not sure where the option is.

Keep in mind that switching to a third-party app means you may lose access to some features of your phone's default messaging service, such as RCS (Rich Communication Services) or integration with your phone's native contacts app. Test the app first to make sure it works the way you need.

Troubleshooting when the background won't change

If the color or wallpaper doesn't appear after you select it, close the app completely and reopen it. Sometimes the change doesn't display until you restart the app. On Android, you can do this by swiping up from the bottom of the screen (or using your back button) to close the app, then tapping its icon again to open it fresh.

If the setting still doesn't work, check that you're running the latest version of your messaging app. Open the Google Play Store, search for your messaging app by name, and tap Update if one is available. Older versions sometimes have bugs that prevent background changes from working.

On some phones, system-wide dark mode or light mode settings can override your chosen background color. If you've set a light background but it appears dark, check your phone's Settings > Display > Dark mode and toggle it off to see if that fixes it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different backgrounds for different conversations?

Yes, in Google Messages and Samsung Messages you can set a unique color for each conversation. In WhatsApp, the wallpaper applies to all chats at once. Third-party apps like Textra and Pulse SMS also support per-conversation backgrounds.

Will changing the message background affect how the other person sees my messages?

No. The background color or wallpaper is only visible on your phone. The person you're texting will see their own default message background, not yours.

What if my messaging app doesn't have a background color option?

Not all messaging apps include this feature. Check the app's settings menu under Appearance, Display, or Themes. If it's not there, the app may not support it. You can switch to a different messaging app that does, or contact the app's support team to request the feature.

Can I use a photo as a message background on Android?

WhatsApp and some third-party apps like Textra let you use photos as wallpaper. Google Messages and Samsung Messages typically only offer solid colors, though this varies by phone model and app version.

Does changing the background use more battery?

No. A static background color or image has no meaningful impact on battery life. Your phone's display and processor use the same amount of power whether the background is plain or decorated.