Learn how to set an image or color-based animation as the chat background in the Apple Messages app on iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and watchOS 26 to add flair to your family and friend conversations.
With the latest OS update, Apple allows you to change the standard white or black chat background of an iMessage conversation. You can pick an image from your Photos app library, built-in animation, or even generate an AI photo with Image Playground and use it as the background. This new change is similar to the chat theme and wallpaper feature that WhatsApp and Telegram have offered for a while.
Before you get to the steps, here are some important points about this new feature:
- The iMessage background you set is visible to you and the recipient/the members of a group chat. So, don’t select an embarrassing picture, thinking you’re the only one seeing it.
- You can set up separate backgrounds for each chat. Unlike WhatsApp, there isn’t an option to set one background image for all your iMessage conversations.
- You can’t set a background for SMS or RCS texts.
- Chat backgrounds sync via iCloud to all your devices that are updated to iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and watchOS 26. Therefore, you can set it up using any device; we’ve outlined the steps for all below.
iPhone and iPad
1) Open the Messages app on your device running iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 and go inside an existing conversation. Then, tap the name or profile picture at the top of the chat screen.
2) Tap Backgrounds and select an option.
You can choose one of the following options:
- Photo: Select an image from your photo library. Tap All to quickly see your recent pictures.
- Color: Select this and then swipe to access additional styles. These are not still gradients; they all have a nice, subtle color wave animation. You can tap the two color selector dots at the bottom to select the desired colors.
- Playground: Use Apple’s AI to generate an image based on a text description.
- Sky, Water, Aurora: There are three built-in style categories. Tap one and then swipe to access additional backgrounds. Just like the color backgrounds, these are also animated.
- Suggestions: This section shows options from Image Playground or suggested backgrounds from your photo library.
3) Finally, tap the check mark icon to make the selection your chat wallpaper.
In case you no longer want to use a custom chat background, follow the above steps and select the “None” option to go back to the default.
Apple Watch
You can’t set up a message conversation background on Apple Watch. However, if you add one on your iPhone, it will sync automatically to your watch running watchOS 26.
Mac
Just like iPhone and iPad, you can add a background to your conversation in the Apple Messages app by following these quick steps.
1) Go to the Apple Messages app and select a conversation. Then, click the name or profile picture at the top.
2) Select “Backgrounds” and pick an option: Photo, Color, Playground, Sky, Water, Aurora.
3) Now, select a style by clicking the drop-down menu and finally click Set.
What do you think of chat wallpapers in Messages? Are you going to prettify your iMessage conversations with some wallpapers, do you think?
Also, check out: 18 settings to change and new features to try in iOS 26