You can change iMessage bubble colors in iOS 17 and later, but only for individual conversations and only if you use an iPhone
Apple added the ability to change message bubble colors in iOS 17, released in September 2023. The feature works only on iPhones running that version or newer, and only within the Messages app itself — you cannot change the color of iMessage bubbles on a Mac, iPad, or any Android device. The color change applies to one conversation at a time, not to all your messages at once.
The process takes about 10 seconds per conversation. Open the conversation you want to customize, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to reveal the conversation details panel, tap the person's name or group name at the top, then scroll down and tap "Color" to pick from Apple's preset palette. The colors available are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and pink. Once you choose, the bubbles in that conversation turn that color on your phone only — the other person sees their default blue or green bubbles as usual.
This is a display-only change on your device. It does not affect how the message is encrypted, who can read it, or how it travels from your phone to the recipient's. It is purely visual organization, similar to how you might highlight certain emails in your inbox or use different colored folders.
Key Takeaways
- Color changes work only on iPhone with iOS 17 or later and explore to individual conversations, not all messages at once.
- The color change is visible only on your own phone — the person you are messaging sees the default blue or green bubbles.
- Changing bubble color does not alter encryption, security, or how the message is transmitted.
- You can also change the bubble shape (rounded or sharp corners) and add emoji reactions in the same menu.
Where to find the color option in Messages
Start by opening the Messages app and selecting the conversation you want to customize. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen — not from the keyboard, but from the very bottom edge of the phone. A panel will slide up showing the person's name or group name, their photo, and several options below.
Look for the row of icons that includes "Color," "Memoji," and other customization options. Tap "Color" directly. A menu of seven colors appears: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and pink. Tap the one you want. The change takes effect when ready, and all the message bubbles in that conversation will now display in your chosen color on your screen.
If you change your mind, you can return to the same menu and pick a different color or tap the default option to go back to blue (for iMessage) or green (for SMS or messages from Android users).
Why you might want to organize conversations by color
Color-coding conversations is a practical way to visually separate different parts of your life without opening each thread. You might use red for urgent work messages, blue for close family, yellow for a group chat, and purple for a hobby community. This is purely for your own navigation — it has no effect on notification settings, message priority, or how anyone else sees the conversation.
Some people use colors to match the person's personality or the tone of the conversation. Others use them to flag conversations that need a response. The feature is optional and entirely personal; there is no "right" way to use it.
What color changes do not do
Changing the bubble color does not change your privacy settings, notification settings, or message encryption. iMessage conversations remain end-to-end encrypted whether the bubbles are blue, red, or any other color. The color is stored only on your device and does not sync to iCloud or appear on your other Apple devices — if you have an iPad, it will still show the default colors unless you manually change them there too.
Color changes also do not affect read receipts, typing indicators, or any other iMessage feature. If read receipts are on, the other person will still see when you have read their message, regardless of what color you have assigned to the conversation. The color is purely visual and applies only to how the bubbles look on your screen.
Other customization options in the same menu
While you are in the conversation details panel, you can also change the bubble shape. Tap "Bubble Shape" to choose between rounded corners (the default) or sharp corners. Like color, this is visible only on your phone.
You can also add emoji reactions to messages without replying. Long-press any message and tap one of the emoji options (heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, haha, exclamation, question mark) to react. These reactions are visible to everyone in the conversation and do not require you to type a response.
Compatibility across devices and operating systems
The color feature works only on iPhone with iOS 17 or later. If you have an iPad or Mac, the Messages app on those devices does not have a color customization option, even if you are running the latest operating system. If you message someone with an Android phone, they cannot see your color choice — they see the message in their default app appearance.
The color you choose syncs to your other iPhones if you use the same Apple ID and have iCloud sync enabled for Messages. However, it does not sync to iPad or Mac, so you would need to set colors separately on each device if you use multiple Apple products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the other person see what color I changed the conversation to?
No. The color change is stored only on your phone and is not sent to the other person. They see the conversation in their default app appearance, which is typically blue for iMessage or green for SMS and messages from Android users.
Do I need iOS 17 to use this feature?
Yes. The color customization feature is available only on iPhone running iOS 17 or later. If you have an older iPhone or have not updated to iOS 17, the color option will not appear in the conversation details menu.
Will changing the color affect my message encryption?
No. The color is a display setting only and has no effect on how your messages are encrypted, transmitted, or stored. iMessage conversations remain end-to-end encrypted regardless of the bubble color you choose.
Can I change colors for group chats?
Yes. The color feature works for both one-on-one conversations and group chats. Open the group conversation, swipe up to see the details, and tap "Color" to customize it the same way you would for a single conversation.
If I change the color, will it change on my iPad or Mac too?
Not automatically on iPad or Mac. The color syncs between iPhones if you use the same Apple ID, but iPad and Mac do not have the color customization feature built in, so you cannot set or see colors on those devices.