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Instagram has evolved far beyond a simple photo-sharing platform. Over the past few years, Meta has introduced several advanced messaging features on Instagram, bringing it closer to Facebook Messenger. Features such as Vanish Mode, Watch Together, and custom chat themes have made conversations more interactive and personal. However, many users are still unaware that Instagram allows them to change chat themes and message colours.

If you are using the Messenger experience on Instagram, you may have noticed the default purple-pink gradient background in chats. What many users don’t realize is that Instagram lets you personalize each conversation by choosing different themes or simply changing the colour of message bubbles. This feature works for both individual and group chats and is available on Android as well as iOS devices.

What Are Instagram Chat Themes?

Chat themes are visual styles that change the background and appearance of your Instagram conversations. Instead of using the same default look for every chat, you can apply a unique theme to each conversation. This helps users differentiate between personal chats, group discussions, and professional conversations.

Currently, Instagram offers:

• 15 different chat themes

• 21 message bubble colour options

These themes range from subtle gradients to bold and colourful designs. You can also choose to change only the message colour if you prefer a cleaner look.

Important Things to Know Before Changing Chat Themes

Before you customize your chats, keep these points in mind:

• The chat theme applies only to the selected conversation.

• Both users in the chat can see the applied theme.

• Themes may look slightly different in Dark Mode and Light Mode.

• You can change or reset the theme anytime.

• The feature is available only if your Instagram account has the Messenger update enabled.

Why Change Chat Theme or Colour on Instagram?

There are several reasons why users like to customize chat themes:

• Personalization: Make conversations visually appealing.

• Easy identification: Quickly recognize different chats.

• Mood-based themes: Match the theme with the nature of the conversation.

• Better user experience: Reduce monotony of default design.

This feature is especially useful for users who chat frequently and want a more engaging messaging experience.

Step-by-Step Guide to Change Chat Theme or Colour on Instagram

Follow these simple steps to customize your Instagram chats:

Open the Instagram App
Launch the Instagram app on your Android or iOS smartphone and make sure you are logged in.

Go to Direct Messages
Tap on the Messenger icon located at the top-right corner of the screen.

Select a Chat
Open the individual chat or group chat for which you want to change the theme or message colour.

Open Chat Settings
At the top of the chat screen, tap on the name of the user or group.

Tap on Theme
From the Chat Settings menu, select Theme.

Choose a Theme or Colour
A pop-up window will appear showing all available chat themes and message colour options.
Tap on the theme or colour you like.

The selected theme will be applied instantly to the chat.

Can You Reset the Chat Theme?

Yes, Instagram allows users to switch back to the default theme at any time. Simply follow the same steps and select the default Instagram theme from the list.

Instagram’s Focus on Digital Well-being

Apart from chat customization, Instagram has also been working on features that promote healthier app usage. The platform recently updated its Daily Limit feature, allowing users to set minimum time limits starting from 30 minutes. The interface of this feature has also been redesigned to make it easier to manage screen time.

Final Thoughts

Instagram’s chat theme and colour customization feature adds a fresh layer of personalization to everyday conversations. Whether you want a fun theme for friends, a subtle look for professional chats, or just a change from the default design, this feature gives you complete control.

With easy steps and multiple options available, changing chat themes on Instagram is a simple way to enhance your messaging experience.