Similar to WhatsApp, Messenger allows you to change your background or theme.
The feature is also available on Instagram messages.
However, you need to update to the new messenger experience first.
Chat themes allow you to customize the background of your chat.
There are multiple themes that you can choose from.
This includes “Lofi”, “Sky”, “Lunar New Year”, and others.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to change your theme or background on Messenger on Android or iPhone.
How to change your background on Messenger
1. Select a chat
Firstly, you need to open the Messenger app on your phone.
After you’ve opened the app, you need to log in to Your Facebook account if you haven’t already.
Next, you need to select the chat that you want to change the background of.
It can either be a single chat or a group chat.
Keep in mind that you can only change the background for individual chats.
2. Tap on the top navigation bar
After you’ve selected the chat that you want to change the background of, you’ll see all of its messages.
Now, you need to go to your chat settings to change your background.
To do so, tap on the top navigation bar of the chat.
The top navigation bar of the chat will contain your profile picture.
If it’s a group chat, you’ll see the profile pictures of other group members as well.
3. Tap on “Theme”
After you’ve tapped on the top navigation bar, you’ll land on the settings page.
On the settings page, you’ll see multiple sections.
This includes “Customisation”, “Chat Info”, “More actions”, and “Privacy and support”.
Under “Customisation”, you’ll see a “Theme” option.
The “Theme” option allows you to change your Messenger background.
Hence, tap on “Theme” to start changing your background.
4. Select a theme
After you’ve tapped on “Theme”, the theme menu will open.
The menu contains a list of themes that you can choose from.
This includes “Lo-Fi”, “Sky”, Lunar New Year”, and others.
Now, you need to select the theme that you want to change to.
For example, if you want to change your chat’s background to “Lo-Fi”, select “Lo-Fi”.
Facebook Messenger will release a new theme once in a while, so you can check back later for more themes.
5. Tap on “Select”
After you’ve selected the theme that you want to change to, you’ll land on the preview page.
For example, if you’ve selected “Lo-Fi”, you’ll land on the “Preview Lo-Fi” page.
The page shows you a preview of what the theme looks like.
If you’re happy with the theme, tap on “Select” to confirm it.
On the other hand, if you’re unhappy with the theme, you can choose another one by tapping on “Cancel”.
Tapping on “Cancel” will bring you back to the theme selection page where you can select another theme.
After you’ve tapped on “Select”, the theme will be selected.
Now, you’ll land back in your chat.
In your chat, you’ll see a message that indicates the theme change.
For example, if you’ve changed your theme to Lo-Fi, you’ll see this message, “You changed the chat theme to Lo-Fi”.
Each time you change your theme, you’ll receive a message like this.
You’ve successfully learned how to change your background on Messenger!
How to change your theme on Messenger
- Open Messenger and navigate to the chat that you want to change the theme of.
- Tap on the top navigation bar of the chat.
- Tap on “Theme”.
- Select the theme that you want to change to.
- Tap on “Select” to confirm the theme change.
Keep in mind that changing your theme will only affect the chat that you’ve changed it in.
Your other chats will have the default monochrome theme.
If you want to change the theme for your other chats, you need to do it individually.
Conclusion
Changing your background or theme on Messenger is one of the many features that the app has.
It’s also an uncommon feature that is not used by many people.
Facebook Messenger releases new themes occasionally.
Back on June 10, 2021, 3 new themes were released.
This includes “Olivia Rodrigo, World Oceans Day, Pride, and F9”.
You can check back every now and then to see if a new theme is released.
Alternatively, you can read the Messenger blog for news and announcements.
If you have any enquires, you can contact Facebook Messenger at messengercomms@fb.com.
Further reading
How to Put a Secret Message Link on Your Facebook Profile
