What you can change and where to find it
Instagram lets you change the background in two places: in your direct messages (the chat window where you text one person or a group) and in Stories (the temporary photos and videos you post). The steps are different for each, and the options available depend on whether you use Instagram on your phone or computer.
On your phone, you can change chat backgrounds to solid colors, gradients, or preset patterns. On Stories, you can add colored or patterned backgrounds behind text and stickers. On a computer, your options are more limited — you can change chat backgrounds but not Story backgrounds the same way.
Both changes are personal to you. If you change your chat background with one person, they see their own background on their end unless they change it too. Story backgrounds appear the way you set them for everyone who views that Story.
Key Takeaways
- Chat backgrounds are changed by opening a direct message, tapping the person's name at the top, and selecting "Theme" to pick a color, gradient, or pattern.
- Story backgrounds are added by opening the camera, tapping the color circle at the bottom, and choosing a solid color, gradient, or preset design before you type or add stickers.
- Changes to chat backgrounds are visible only to you; the other person sees their own background unless they change theirs separately.
- On a computer, you can change chat backgrounds but Story background options are limited compared to the phone app.
How to change a chat background on your phone
Open Instagram and go to your direct messages. Tap the conversation with the person or group whose chat background you want to change. At the top of the chat window, you will see the person's name or group name — tap it.
A menu will open. Look for the option labeled "Theme" or a paint bucket icon. Tap it. You will see a row of color options: solid colors like blue, pink, purple, and gray, plus gradient options (colors that blend into each other) and preset patterns. Tap the one you want. The chat background changes when ready, and the change stays in place every time you open that conversation.
To go back to the default white or dark background (depending on your phone's light or dark mode), return to the Theme menu and select the plain option at the start of the row.
How to add a background to a Story
Open Instagram and tap the camera icon or swipe left from your feed to enter Story mode. At the bottom of the screen, you will see a row of icons. Tap the colored circle icon (it looks like a paint bucket or color wheel, depending on your phone). This opens the background color menu.
You can choose a solid color by tapping one of the color dots. You can create a gradient by tapping and holding a color, then swiping to another color while still holding. You can also tap the grid icon to see preset patterned backgrounds — stripes, dots, and other designs. Once you pick a background, it fills the entire canvas behind anything you add (text, stickers, or drawings).
Type text, add stickers, or draw on top of the background. When you are ready, tap "Your Story" to post it, or tap the arrow to send it to specific people in a direct message.
How to change a chat background on a computer
Go to Instagram.com and open a direct message conversation. Hover over the person's name or group name at the top of the chat. A menu icon (three dots) will appear. Click it and select "Theme" or "Change Theme." You will see color options similar to the phone app. Click the color or pattern you want.
The change applies only to that conversation and only on the device you are using. If you change the background on your computer, it does not change on your phone, and vice versa.
Story backgrounds versus chat backgrounds
The two features work differently and serve different purposes. A Story background is part of the content you post — everyone who views your Story sees the background you chose. A chat background is a personal preference — only you see it in that conversation, unless the other person changes their background too.
Story backgrounds are temporary (they disappear after 24 hours unless you save them to Highlights). Chat backgrounds stay in place until you change them again. If you want to use the same background for multiple Stories, you have to set it each time you create a new Story.
Troubleshooting: background options not showing
If the Theme option does not appear when you tap a person's name in a chat, make sure you are using the latest version of Instagram. Go to your phone's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store) and check for updates. Older versions of the app may not have the full background feature.
If you are on a computer and the Theme menu is missing, try using the Instagram app on your phone instead — the computer version has fewer customization options. If the color or pattern you want does not appear, close the app completely and reopen it. Sometimes the menu needs to refresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the other person see what background I chose for our chat?
No. Your chat background is visible only to you. The other person sees their own background, which may be completely different. They would need to change their background separately if they want to match yours.
Do Story backgrounds disappear after 24 hours?
Yes, Stories disappear after 24 hours by default. If you want to keep a Story with a background you liked, you can save it to a Highlight (a permanent collection on your profile) or save it to your phone before it expires.
Can I use a photo as a chat background instead of a color?
Instagram does not currently let you upload your own photo as a chat background. You can only choose from the preset colors, gradients, and patterns the app provides.
What happens if I change my phone's dark mode setting?
If you switch between light and dark mode on your phone, chat backgrounds may adjust slightly to match the mode. Solid colors usually stay the same, but the overall appearance of the chat window changes. Your chosen background stays selected.
Can I change the background for a group chat the same way?
Yes. Open the group conversation, tap the group name at the top, and select Theme. The background change applies only to your view of that group chat, not to other members' views.