Just like WhatsApp and other messaging services, iOS 26 Messages app will let you change the background image too.
Report Says Messaging App in iOS 26 will Allow Users to Change the Background Image
iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 is not just about a visual redesign. Apple is going to announce other features too.
One of those features is the ability to change the background image in a conversation thread, according to Bloomberg. If you always wanted to personalize this aspect of messaging, it’s finally happening.
I really think this is an extremely welcome change to the Messages app, assuming this report turns out to be true. The plain white or black background, depending on light or dark mode, is starting to feel boring at this point.
However, there is one thing I wish Apple allowed: the ability to change the color of messaging bubbles. It’s time users moved away from the boring green and blue bubbles to something that fits their vibe more.
Who knows Apple might actually announce this feature on Monday alongside other things!
Apart from the above feature, Messages in iOS 26 is also getting the ability to create polls in conversations. If you’re in a group messaging thread, this will definitely come in handy.
The report goes further to say that the Phone app is getting a redesign as well, which will merge recent calls, voicemail, and favorite contacts into one page. Not sure how this is going to be useful, but I’ll take whatever change Apple throws at me as long as it stops looking like something from last year, the other before it, and so on.
