Where message color settings live, and why they differ
Message color options depend entirely on which app you use and which device you have. iPhone's built-in Messages app (for SMS and iMessage) does not let you change text color at all — the app shows messages in the same blue-and-green bubbles regardless of your settings. Android's default messaging app varies by manufacturer, but most do not offer color changes either. The apps that do let you change colors are third-party messengers like WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and Facebook Messenger, and they hide the setting in different places.
The reason for this difference is technical. iPhone's Messages app is tightly controlled by Apple and designed to look the same for everyone. Android allows manufacturers more freedom, but most still keep the default app straightforward. Third-party apps build their own interfaces from scratch, so they can add features like color themes that Apple and Android's defaults skip.
If you want colored messages, you have two paths: switch to an app that offers the feature, or use a theme or display setting on your phone that changes how all apps look. The first path is more reliable because it changes only your messages. The second path changes everything on your screen.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone's Messages app does not have a color-change option for message bubbles, but third-party apps like WhatsApp and Telegram do.
- Android's default messaging app usually does not offer color changes, but many third-party apps include a theme or dark mode setting that affects message appearance.
- Changing your phone's display theme (dark mode, light mode, or custom colors) will change how messages look across all apps, not just one.
- The color you see for your own messages versus others' messages is controlled by the app, not by your phone settings.
Changing colors in WhatsApp
WhatsApp does not have a direct "message color" setting, but it does have a dark mode and light mode that change the background and text colors throughout the app. On iPhone, open WhatsApp, tap Settings (bottom right), then Display, and choose Light or Dark. On Android, open WhatsApp, tap the three dots (top right), then Settings, then Display, and select your preference.
If you want more control over colors, you can change your phone's system-wide dark mode setting, which WhatsApp will follow. On iPhone, go to Settings, Display & Brightness, and choose Dark or Light. On Android, go to Settings, Display, and toggle Dark Theme on or off. This changes not just WhatsApp but every app that supports dark mode.
WhatsApp does not let you change the color of individual message bubbles or text. The app always shows your messages in one color (usually green or blue) and others' messages in a different color, and you cannot override this.
Changing colors in Telegram
Telegram offers more color control than WhatsApp. Open Telegram, tap Settings (bottom right), then Appearance, and you will see options for Theme. Telegram comes with several built-in themes — Light, Dark, and sometimes brand-specific ones like "Day" or "Night" — and each theme controls the color of message bubbles, backgrounds, and text.
On Android, you can also create a custom theme. In Settings, tap Appearance, then select a theme and tap the pencil icon to edit it. You can change the accent color, which affects how message bubbles and buttons appear. On iPhone, custom themes are more limited; you can choose from Telegram's preset themes but cannot build your own from scratch.
Like WhatsApp, Telegram assigns your messages one color and others' messages another color automatically. You cannot swap these or make your messages a custom color separate from the theme.
Changing colors in Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger lets you change the color of the chat bubbles for individual conversations. Open a conversation, tap the person's name at the top, scroll down to Chat Color, and choose from the available colors. This changes only that conversation's bubble color on your phone — the other person will not see the color change, and their phone will show the default colors.
You can also change Messenger's overall theme. Tap your profile picture (bottom right), then Appearance, and choose Light or Dark mode. This changes the background and text colors throughout the app but does not override the individual chat colors you have already set.
Facebook Messenger's color options are the most flexible of the common apps because you can customize each conversation separately. However, the color change is only visible to you.
Changing colors in Signal
Signal, a privacy-focused messaging app, does not have a message color feature. It offers Light and Dark themes to match your phone's system settings, but you cannot change the color of message bubbles or text. Open Signal, tap your profile picture (top left), then Appearance, and choose Light or Dark. Signal will follow your phone's system theme by default, so if you change your phone to dark mode, Signal changes automatically.
Signal's design philosophy prioritizes security and simplicity over customization, which is why color options are limited compared to Telegram or Messenger. If colored messages are important to you, Signal may not be the right choice, though it remains one of the most find options available.
Using your phone's display settings to change all message colors
If you want message colors to change across every app at once, adjust your phone's display theme. On iPhone, go to Settings, Display & Brightness, and choose Light, Dark, or Auto (which switches based on time of day). On Android, go to Settings, Display, and toggle Dark Theme on or off, or choose a custom color scheme if your phone supports it.
This approach changes the background color, text color, and sometimes accent colors in every app that supports themes, including your messaging apps. It does not let you change just the message bubble color — it changes the entire interface. This is useful if you want a consistent look across your phone, but it is less precise than changing colors within a single app.
Some Android phones (like Samsung or Google Pixel) also offer a "Wallpaper Colors" or "Material You" setting that pulls colors from your home screen wallpaper and applies them throughout the system. This can indirectly affect how messages appear, though the effect varies by app.
Why you cannot always change message colors, and what that means
Apple and Google's default messaging apps do not offer color customization because they prioritize consistency and simplicity. When millions of people use the same app, keeping the design fixed makes it easier to support and less likely to break. Third-party apps have more freedom because they serve smaller audiences and can afford to add features that some users want and others ignore.
The color you see for your own messages versus others' messages is also controlled by the app's design, not your phone. You cannot make your messages appear red while others' appear blue — the app decides this automatically. Some apps like Messenger let you change the color for a whole conversation, but even then, only you see the change.
If colored messages are important to you, the most reliable path is to switch to an app that offers the feature, such as Telegram or Facebook Messenger. If you want to stick with your current app, changing your phone's dark mode or system theme is the only option, and it will affect every app on your phone, not just messages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the color of my messages on iPhone?
The built-in Messages app does not have a color-change option. If you use a third-party app like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Facebook Messenger, you can change the theme or chat colors within that app. You can also switch your iPhone to dark mode, which will change the appearance of messages across all apps that support it.
Why do my messages look different on my phone than on someone else's?
Each person sees messages on their own phone using their own app settings and theme. If you have dark mode on and they have light mode on, the messages will look different to each of you. The app controls what color your messages appear as to others — you cannot override this choice.
If I change the message color in Messenger, will the other person see it?
No. The color change is only visible on your phone. The other person will see the default colors in their Messenger app, regardless of what colors you have set. This is true for all messaging apps — color customization is always local to your phone only.
Does dark mode change message colors?
Dark mode changes the background color and text color of your entire phone interface, including messages. In dark mode, the background is usually dark and text is light. This affects how message bubbles appear, but it does not let you pick a specific color for messages — the app chooses the colors based on the theme you selected.
Which messaging app has the most color options?
Facebook Messenger offers the most control because you can set a different color for each conversation. Telegram offers preset themes with different color schemes. WhatsApp and Signal are limited to light and dark modes. If color customization is a priority, Messenger is the best choice among common apps.