iPad User Guide

Add backgrounds in Messages on iPad

You can add a background to an iMessage conversation. Other people in the conversation see the background on their devices too and can change the background for the group.

Note: To add, view, or change conversation backgrounds, you must use iMessage on iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, watchOS 26, visionOS 26, or later.

👁 A Messages conversation with a background.

Use a dynamic background

  1. Go to the Messages app 👁 Image
    on your iPad.

  2. Go to the conversation where you want to add a background.

  3. Tap the contact or group icon at the top of the conversation, then tap Backgrounds.

  4. Tap Color, Sky, Water, or Aurora.

  5. Swipe left to choose an option.

    Tip: For Color, tap the swatches in the bottom corners to adjust the colors.

  6. Tap 👁 the Done button
    to add the background to your conversation.

Use a photo as a background

  1. Go to the Messages app 👁 Image
    on your iPad.

  2. Go to the conversation where you want to add a photo to the background.

  3. Tap the contact or group icon at the top of the conversation, then tap Backgrounds.

  4. Tap Photo, then tap to select a photo from your library.

    Tip: If someone shared a photo you want to use as a background, touch and hold the photo in the message, then tap Set as Background.

  5. Do any of the following:

    • Crop the image: Pinch in or out.

    • Remove the color: Swipe left to Black & White.

    • Apply a color filter: Swipe left to Duotone or Color Wash, then tap the color swatch to change the palette.

  6. Tap 👁 the Done button
    to add the background to your conversation.

You can set conversations to showcase backgrounds when you return to them. Go to Settings 👁 Image
> Apps > Messages, then turn on Start with Photos Visible.

If Apple Intelligence* is turned on, you can use Image Playground to create one-of-a-kind images for the background of your conversations. See Use Apple Intelligence in Messages.

Note: You can have your (or a family member’s) iPad receive warnings before a background image containing sensitive content is sent or received. See Receive warnings about sensitive content or Check for sensitive images and videos.

Revert to a plain background

Note: Removing a background affects all participants in a conversation.

  1. Go to the Messages app 👁 Image
    on your iPad.

  2. Go to the conversation with a background you want to remove.

  3. Tap the contact or group icon at the top of the conversation, then tap Backgrounds.

  4. Tap None.

Turn conversation backgrounds off

When you turn conversation backgrounds off, others in a conversation still see any background chosen for a conversation.

  1. Go to the Settings app 👁 Image
     on your iPad.

  2. Tap Apps, then tap Messages.

  3. Turn Conversation Backgrounds off.

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