What You Can Change in iMessage

iMessage does not have a traditional background image feature like some other messaging apps. Instead, Apple lets you change the color and style of your chat bubbles — the colored boxes that hold your messages — and you can set a custom wallpaper on your phone's lock screen or home screen that shows behind the app when you are not actively messaging. The chat bubble colors are what most people mean when they ask about changing iMessage's appearance.

The bubble color options depend on which iPhone or iPad you own and which version of iOS or iPadOS is installed. Newer devices running iOS 17 or later have the most customization options. Older devices have fewer choices, but the basic process is the same.

Key Takeaways

  • iMessage chat bubble colors can be changed through the conversation details menu, and the color you pick applies only to that specific conversation.
  • iOS 17 and later let you choose from a palette of preset colors, while older iOS versions may have fewer options or require a different method.
  • The background you see behind the iMessage app itself is your phone's wallpaper, which you change in Settings, not in the Messages app.
  • Changing a bubble color does not affect how the other person sees the conversation — it only changes what appears on your own phone.
  • Some older iPhones running iOS 16 or earlier do not support chat bubble color changes at all.

How to Change Chat Bubble Colors on iOS 17 and Later

Open the Messages app and find the conversation whose bubble color you want to change. Tap the person's name or the group name at the top of the conversation. This opens the conversation details panel on the right side of the screen (on iPad) or at the top (on iPhone).

Look for the color circle icon near the top of the details panel. It usually appears next to options like "FaceTime" or "Details." Tap that circle. A palette of color options will appear — typically including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and pink, plus a default gray option. Tap the color you want. The change takes effect when ready, and all the bubbles in that conversation will now display in your chosen color.

If you want to revert to the default gray, open the same menu and tap the gray circle. Each conversation can have its own color, so you might use one color for family, another for work, and another for close friends.

Changing the Background Behind the App

The wallpaper you see when you open iMessage is your phone's lock screen or home screen wallpaper, not a setting within the Messages app itself. To change what appears behind the app, go to Settings, then tap Wallpaper, and choose "Customize Lock Screen" or "Customize Home Screen" depending on which background you want to change.

Select a new wallpaper image from your photo library or from Apple's built-in wallpaper collection. Once you set it, that wallpaper will show behind any app you use, including Messages. This is a phone-wide setting, not specific to iMessage.

What to Do If Your iPhone Does Not Show Color Options

If you open the conversation details and do not see a color circle, your device may be running iOS 16 or earlier, or it may not support this feature. Check your iOS version by going to Settings, then General, then About, and looking at the "Software Version" line.

If you are on iOS 16, the chat bubble color feature is not available. You can update to iOS 17 or later if your device supports it — most iPhones from iPhone XS and newer can run iOS 17. Go to Settings, General, Software Update to check for and install the latest version. If your phone cannot update past iOS 16, you will not be able to change bubble colors through this method.

Why the Other Person Does Not See Your Color Choice

When you change a chat bubble color, only you see that color on your phone. The other person in the conversation continues to see the standard blue bubbles (for their own messages) and gray bubbles (for your messages), regardless of what color you have chosen. This is by design — iMessage colors are a personal preference that affects only your own view of the conversation.

This also means that if someone sends you a message, you can color-code their conversation without them knowing. It is purely a tool to help you organize and visually distinguish your conversations.

Troubleshooting Color Changes That Do Not Stick

If you set a chat bubble color and it reverts to gray after you close the app, make sure you tapped the color circle and waited for the change to register before leaving the conversation details screen. Sometimes the app needs a moment to save the change.

If the problem persists, try closing the Messages app completely and reopening it. If that does not work, restart your phone. Occasionally a software glitch can prevent the color from saving, and a restart usually clears it. If you are still having trouble after a restart, check that your iOS version is up to date, as older versions sometimes have bugs that newer updates fix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different colors for group chats versus one-on-one conversations?

Yes. Each conversation — whether it is a group or one-on-one — can have its own color. Open the conversation details for each chat and set the color independently. This lets you visually separate work groups from personal conversations, for example.

Will the color change if I delete and reinstall the Messages app?

No. Your color choices are stored in iCloud and synced across your devices. If you delete and reinstall Messages, your color settings will return once the app syncs with iCloud. However, if you sign out of iCloud before reinstalling, you may lose the settings.

Can I use a custom image as a chat bubble background instead of a solid color?

iMessage does not support custom images for individual chat bubbles. You can only choose from the preset color palette. If you want more extensive customization, third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram offer more background and theme options, but those require the other person to use the same app.

Do chat bubble colors work the same way on iPad?

Yes. iPad running iPadOS 17 or later supports the same chat bubble color feature as iPhone. The process is identical — open the conversation, tap the details panel, and select a color from the palette.

What happens if I change my iPhone's system language — does that affect the color options?

No. The color palette is the same regardless of your language settings. The colors themselves have no labels, so language does not affect which ones appear or how they work.