Apple is finally letting iPhone users customize their Messages backgrounds in iOS 26 and iPadOS 26, ending years of plain white conversation windows. During WWDC, Apple introduced the ability to add personalized backgrounds to individual conversations, bringing a feature that's been available on other messaging platforms for years.

To use the new backgrounds, you'll need devices running iOS 26 or iPadOS 26 - older versions won't see the customization at all. The backgrounds sync across your Apple devices logged into the same account, so a change made on your iPhone appears on your iPad and Mac. However, anyone you message will also see your chosen background, so choose wisely.

Apple offers six categories of backgrounds including Photos from your library, animated scenes like underwater views and Aurora Borealis, gradient colors, and even Image Playground generation. You can also disable backgrounds entirely by selecting 'None' in the same menu. This update finally gives Messages users the personalization options that competitors have offered for years, though it still lacks some of the more creative customization features found elsewhere.