Change Note Color on Instagram in Three Steps

To change the color of a note on Instagram, open the Notes tab, tap the note you want to edit, select the three-dot menu icon, choose "Edit," and then tap the color circle at the bottom of the screen to pick a new color. The color change takes effect when ready and updates for anyone who can see that note.

Notes on Instagram are short messages you pin to your profile that your followers can see. They appear below your bio and above your feed. Instagram offers a set palette of colors to choose from, and you can change the color whenever you want without losing the text inside the note.

Key Takeaways

  • Open your profile, tap the Notes tab below your bio, and select the note you want to change.
  • Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the note and select "Edit" from the menu.
  • At the bottom of the editing screen, tap the colored circle to open the color palette and select your new color.
  • Your note color updates when ready and is visible to all followers who can see that note.
  • You can change a note's color as many times as you want without affecting the text or expiration date.

Step-by-Step: Editing a Note's Color

Start by opening Instagram and going to your own profile. Tap the Notes tab, which appears as a small icon below your bio and above your grid of posts. This tab shows all the notes you have created.

Find the note whose color you want to change and tap on it to open it. Once the note is open, look for the three-dot menu icon (also called the "more" menu) in the top right corner of the note. Tap this icon to reveal a dropdown menu with several options.

From the menu, select "Edit." This opens the note in editing mode, where you can see your text and the color controls at the bottom of the screen. Tap the colored circle at the bottom—this is the color selector. A palette of color options will appear, showing you all the colors Instagram offers for notes.

Tap the color you want. The note's background will change to that color when ready. You do not need to save or confirm the change; it happens automatically. Once you are done, tap outside the note or press the back button to close the editing screen.

What Colors Are Available

Instagram offers a fixed set of colors for notes, and the exact palette may vary slightly depending on your device and app version. The colors typically include shades of pink, purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red, along with neutral options like white, gray, and black.

You cannot create a custom color or use a color outside Instagram's preset palette. If none of the available colors match what you are looking for, you can change the color again at any time—there is no limit to how many times you can edit a note's appearance.

When Color Changes Take Effect

The color change is visible to you when ready on your own profile. If your followers are looking at your profile at the same time you change the color, they may see the old color briefly before the app refreshes and shows the new one.

The color change does not affect the note's expiration date or any other settings. If your note is set to disappear after 24 hours, changing the color does not reset that timer. The text inside the note also remains exactly as you wrote it.

Troubleshooting Color Change Issues

If the color selector does not appear when you tap the three-dot menu, make sure you are using the latest version of Instagram. Outdated versions sometimes have missing features or bugs. Go to your device's app store and check for updates.

If you tap the color circle and nothing happens, try closing the note and opening it again. If the problem persists, try logging out of Instagram and logging back in. This often fixes temporary glitches with the app's interface.

If you see the color palette but the colors look faded or strange, this is usually a display issue with your device. Restarting your phone often resolves this. Make sure your screen brightness is set high enough to see the colors clearly.

Notes Color vs. Story Color

Instagram Notes are different from Instagram Stories. Notes are permanent (or set to expire after 24 hours) and appear below your bio. Stories are temporary posts that disappear after 24 hours and appear at the top of followers' feeds.

Notes use a straightforward color background with text. Stories can include photos, videos, stickers, text overlays, and many more design options. If you are looking to change the color of a Story instead of a Note, you would use different tools within the Story creation screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a custom color for my note?

No, Instagram provides a fixed palette of colors for notes. You cannot upload your own color or use a hex code to create a custom shade. You can only choose from the colors Instagram offers in the color selector.

Does changing a note's color delete the text inside?

No, changing the color does not affect the text at all. The words you wrote stay exactly the same. Only the background color changes.

Can other people change the color of my notes?

No, only you can edit your own notes. Followers can see your notes and read them, but they cannot change the color or edit the text. Each person can only edit their own notes on their own profile.

What happens to the color if my note expires?

When a note expires and disappears from your profile, the color setting disappears with it. If you create a new note later, you start with a fresh color choice.

Do I need to be online for the color change to show up?

No, the color change saves to Instagram's servers as soon as you make it. You can close the app or go offline, and the new color will still be there when you or your followers check your profile next.