Change iMessage Background in iOS 17: Full Guide

This guide walks you through changing the background of your iMessage conversations on iOS 17. While iOS 17 doesn’t let you set a custom photo as the chat wallpaper directly, you can use the built-in bubble and background color options, plus a few clever workarounds to get a look that feels personal. Before starting, make sure your iPhone is updated to iOS 17 or later and that you have a backup of your conversations if you plan to try the more advanced methods.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone running iOS 17 or later
Your Apple ID signed in to iMessage
Optional: A photo you want to use as a background (for the workaround method)
Optional: A computer with internet access (for the workaround method)

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Change Bubble and Background Colors (Built-in)

Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
Tap on any conversation you want to customize.
Tap the chevron (^) button located to the left of the text input field.
Tap the “More” option (the three dots in a circle) that appears.
Tap the “Bubble & Background” option (it looks like a circle with a smaller circle inside).
You’ll see a grid of color swatches. Tap a color to preview it. The top row changes your outgoing bubble color, and the bottom row changes the background color of the entire chat.
Once you find a combination you like, tap the “X” in the top-right corner to close the menu. Your changes are saved automatically.

Method 2: Use Dark Mode as a Background

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap “Display & Brightness”.
Under the “Appearance” section, choose “Dark” to force all apps, including Messages, into dark mode.
Alternatively, select “Automatic” to have it switch based on the time of day.
Open Messages. The background will now be dark (black or dark gray) instead of the default light gray.

Method 3: The Photo Workaround (Using a Contact Poster)

Open the Phone or Contacts app.
Select the contact you chat with most often.
Tap “Edit” in the top-right corner.
Tap “Add Photo” or the current contact photo.
Choose “Choose Photo” and pick an image from your library.
Adjust the photo as desired and tap “Done”.
Now, when you open a conversation with that person, their contact poster will appear at the top of the screen, giving a subtle custom background feel.

Method 4: The Full Photo Background Workaround (iOS 17.1+ or Later)

Open the Messages app and go to a conversation.
Tap the chevron (^) button next to the text field.
Tap “More”, then “Bubble & Background”.
Tap the “Camera” icon in the top-left corner of the background color grid.
Select a photo from your library or take a new one.
Adjust the photo by pinching to zoom or dragging to reposition.
Tap “Done” to set it as the background for that conversation.

Common Mistakes

Expecting a photo background in older iOS versions: The camera icon for photo backgrounds was added in iOS 17.1. If you’re on an earlier iOS 17 build, you won’t see it. Update your phone.
Changing the wrong setting: The top color row changes your bubble color, and the bottom row changes the background. Mixing them up is easy.
Forgetting that changes are per-conversation: Custom backgrounds and bubble colors apply only to the single conversation you’re in, not globally across all chats.
Assuming dark mode changes only Messages: Dark mode affects the entire system, not just iMessage.

Tips

Use a subtle pattern: If you use a photo, pick one that isn’t too busy so your text remains readable.
Match your bubble color to your background: For a clean look, choose a bubble color that contrasts with your background. For example, white bubbles on a dark background.
Reset to default: To go back to the standard look, go to Bubble & Background and tap the “Default” option (usually the first white/gray swatch).
Check readability: After changing colors, send a test message to yourself to ensure the text is easy to read.

Troubleshooting

I don’t see the “Bubble & Background” option. Make sure you’re in an actual conversation, not the main message list. Also, verify you’re running iOS 17 or later by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

My photo background isn’t showing. This feature requires iOS 17.1 or later. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and update if available. If you’re already updated, try restarting your iPhone.

The color change doesn’t apply to all my chats. As noted, each conversation has its own settings. You’ll need to change the background in each chat individually.

My text is hard to read after changing the background. Go back into Bubble & Background and choose a darker or lighter background, or switch your bubble color to white or black for better contrast.

I can’t find the camera icon in Bubble & Background. The camera icon is only visible when you tap the background color row (the bottom row). If you’re looking at the bubble row, tap the bottom row first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a different background for each contact? Yes, the background and bubble color settings are saved per conversation. You can customize each chat individually.

Does the person I’m texting see my background? No, the background and bubble colors are only visible on your device. The other person sees the default iMessage interface unless they customize their own.

Will changing the background affect message delivery? No, it’s purely a visual change on your end. It doesn’t affect how messages are sent or received.

Can I use a GIF or live photo as my background? No, iOS 17 only supports static images for chat backgrounds. Live photos will be treated as a still frame.

How do I revert to the original gray background? Open the conversation, tap the chevron, then More, then Bubble & Background, and select the default white/gray swatch at the top of the background color row.

Does this work in group chats? Yes, you can customize the background and bubble colors in group conversations just like one-on-one chats.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →