Apple's iOS 26 allows users to set custom backgrounds for individual or group text threads, though these changes are visible to all participants in the conversation.

With the release of iOS 26, Apple introduced the ability for users to customize the background of their Messages threads. Users can select from preset options provided by Apple or choose images from their own camera roll. This feature is intended to help users distinguish between different conversations, though it applies to all members of the chat who are also using iOS 26.

How to Change Backgrounds

To update a background, users open the desired text thread and tap the contact or group name at the top of the screen. From the available tabs, users select 'Backgrounds' to choose between four dynamic categories—Color, Sky, Water, and Aurora—or upload a photo from their device. Once a selection is made, tapping the blue check mark applies the change, which is then visible to all participants in the thread.

Managing Visibility and Settings

Because background changes are synchronized across the chat, all members see the updated image. If a user prefers not to see backgrounds set by others, they can disable the feature entirely by navigating to Settings > Apps > Messages and toggling off 'Conversation Backgrounds.' To revert a thread to a plain background, users can select 'None' within the Backgrounds menu, which removes the image for everyone in the conversation.