To change the text message background on iPhone 13, open the Messages app, select an iMessage conversation (blue bubble), tap the contact or group icon at the top, and then tap "Backgrounds." From there, you can choose a preset like Color, Sky, Water, Aurora, or Photo to instantly change the background of that specific conversation.
How to change your text message background on iPhone 13
The exact, verified path to change the background for an iMessage conversation is as follows:
- Open the Messages app on your iPhone 13.
- Open the conversation you want to customize.
- Tap the contact or group icon at the top of the conversation. (The original method of tapping the 'i' icon at the top right corner also accesses conversation settings, but the contact or group icon path is the current standard.)
- Tap Backgrounds.
- Swipe left to browse the preset options: Color, Sky, Water, Aurora, Photo, or Playground.
- If you choose Color, swipe further to see Black & White, Duotone, or Color Wash, then tap a color swatch to change the palette.
- Tap the chosen background to apply it to the conversation.
This feature gives you a quick way to personalize your chats, and it is part of Apple's built-in customization options for changing wallpapers and themes on phones.
Which conversations can have a custom background?
Custom backgrounds in Apple Messages only work for iMessage conversations, which appear as blue bubbles. You cannot set a custom background for SMS or MMS chats with Android users, which appear as green bubbles. The background change is also per-conversation; there is no global setting to apply one background to all messages at once.
How to change chat wallpapers on Android
Android users can customize chat backgrounds in Google Messages. Open a conversation, then use the chat wallpaper or theme controls to pick a preset category and a wallpaper from that category, or tap "Choose a photo" to use your own image. This feature is documented in Google Messages Help for custom wallpapers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an iPhone 13 change the background for every text message?
No. Apple documents background changes only at the conversation level in Messages, and the feature is exclusive to iMessage conversations, not all text messages.
Can I set different backgrounds for individual contacts' messages?
iPhone 13 does not have a built-in feature for this, but you can use workarounds with third-party apps.
Are there any pre-installed background options for text messages on iPhone 13?
Yes, there are pre-installed options like Color, Sky, Water, and Aurora, and you can also use your own photos.
Can you set a custom background for SMS with Android users on iPhone?
No. Apple's documentation does not show this option for Android chats; custom backgrounds are only available for iMessage conversations.
What exact menu path should a reader follow on iPhone?
Messages > open conversation > tap contact or group icon > Backgrounds.
What exact menu path should a reader follow in Google Messages?
Open the chat, then use the chat wallpaper/theme controls to pick a preset or choose a photo.
Will changing the background affect message readability?
No. The background is designed to work with the text bubbles, and you can choose options that keep messages easy to read.
