How to change message backgrounds on iPhone
Personalize your messages with iOS 26's new feature
1Message background customization on iPhone
With the iOS 26 update, iPhone users can now change the background of their messaging screens. This feature has been available on Android for a long time. Users can choose from Apple's preset options or upload their own photos. The feature also offers practical benefits like preventing accidental messages to the wrong person.
2Important detail to note
When you change a message background, this change is visible to all participants in the chat. The only requirement is that other users must also be using iOS 26. This works similarly to renaming group chats. For example, if you change the background of a chat with your ex, they'll see this change immediately on their device.
3Steps to change backgrounds
To change backgrounds in the Messages app, first select the conversation you want to modify. Tap on 'Backgrounds' from the options at the top ('Info', 'Backgrounds', 'Photos', and 'Links'). You can choose from Apple's 'Color', 'Sky', 'Water', and 'Aurora' options or upload your own photo. Pinch to crop the photo and swipe left to add filters.
4Apple's preset background options
Apple offers four dynamic background options: Color, Sky, Water, and Aurora. Each option contains different variations. For example, the Sky option includes sky images from different times of day. These options aim to make the messaging experience more aesthetically pleasing.
5Customization with personal photos
Users can also set their own photos as backgrounds. The phone automatically suggests photos like travel pictures. You can access your entire photo collection. Selected photos can be cropped as desired and various filters can be applied. When changes are confirmed, a note appears in the chat saying 'You changed the background'.
6Reverting background changes
Users who want to undo background changes can select 'None' in the 'Backgrounds' tab of the relevant chat. However, this action will remove the background for all chat members. In group chats, this change affects everyone.
7Option to disable backgrounds completely
If someone changed the background of your chat and you don't want to see it, you can turn off 'Conversation Backgrounds' in Settings > Apps > Messages. In this case, the other person will still see the background while your phone maintains the standard view.
8Personalization trends and user experience
This feature is seen as part of Apple's steps toward personalizing user experience. As of 2026, iOS users are demanding more customization options in messaging apps. Statistics show that customizable interfaces can increase user loyalty by up to 30%. This feature could provide Apple with a significant advantage in its competition with Android.
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