How to set an image as your iMessage chat background


Learn how to set a still background or animation as your chat wallpaper in Apple Messages on an iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch for a bit of flair in your conversations.

Message background in iOS 26

Similar to WhatsApp, Apple’s iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26 and watchOS 26 operating systems (currently in the beta phase) bring optional backgrounds to your iMessage exchanges. You can set an image from the Photos library as your chat background or pick from built-in animations.

If your device supports Apple Intelligence, you can also generate an AI chat wallpaper with Image Playground. Backgrounds are visible to all chat participants, so be kind and don’t use an embarrassing picture thinking you’re the only one seeing it.

Chat backgrounds sync across all your iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watch updated to iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and watchOS 26. Each chat can have a different background, but there’s no option to set the same background for all chats at once.

Note that SMS and RCS text conversations cannot have a background.

iPhone and iPad

1) Open the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad running iOS or iPadOS 26 and open an existing conversation, then hit the name or profile picture at the top of the chat and select the Backgrounds option.

Tap conversation name then Background in iPhone Messages

2) Choose between the following options:

  • Photo: Choose a still from the Photos library (tap All to see recent images).
  • Color: Use a subtle color wave animation as the chat background. Swipe to view all variations or hit the color dots to pick a custom hue.
  • Playground: Generate a custom image with Image Playground from a text description.
  • Sky, Water, Aurora: Animated backgrounds in different styles (swipe to view additional ones).
  • Suggestions: Recommended Image Playground options and suggested backgrounds from your Photos library.

3) Hit the check mark icon to make the selection for your chat wallpaper.

To remove a chat background, follow the steps above but pick the “None” option instead.

Setting chat background for iMessage on iPhone

Apple Watch

You can’t set a chat background in the Messages app on your Apple Watch, but if you pick one on your iPhone, it’ll sync automatically to your Apple Watch so long as it’s running the watchOS 26 software.

iMessage chat background on Apple Watch

Mac

Open the built-in Messages app on your Mac and select an existing conversation.

Next, click the name or profile picture at the top, then select “Backgrounds” and pick Photo, Color, Sky, Water, or Aurora.

Now pick a desired style from the menu and click Set to use the selected background.

Note that the current macOS 26 Tahoe beta lacks the Image Playground option.

Setting iMessage background on Mac

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: 65+ tips and tricks for the Messages app on iPhone and iPad

We will be happy to hear your thoughts

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