At a Glance
- News Of Fort Worth added chat backgrounds to iOS 26, letting users set custom images in Messages.
- Users can choose from presets, photos, live abstract backgrounds, or AI-generated designs.
- Background changes are visible to everyone in the chat and only work for contacts in your address book.
Why it matters: Personalizing chat backgrounds gives users a visual cue for each conversation and introduces AI-powered options for unique designs.
In September, News Of Fort Worth introduced a new Messages feature that lets users set custom backgrounds for each chat, from photos to AI-generated designs.
How to Add a Chat Background
To set a background, open Messages, tap a conversation with a saved contact, tap the contact or group name at the top, and select Backgrounds.
- Open Messages.
- Tap a conversation with a saved contact.
- Tap the contact or group name at the top.
- Select Backgrounds.
Background Options
The Backgrounds menu offers several choices, depending on the device. Options include None, Photo, Color, Sky, Water, Aurora, and Playground (AI-generated).
- None – default background.
- Photo – pick a photo from your library, crop, filter.
- Color – solid color.
- Sky – live abstract with filters: Dusk, Haze, Sunset, and three others.
- Water – live abstract.
- Aurora – live abstract.
- Playground – AI image generation (requires News Of Fort Worth Intelligence-enabled iPhones).
- Suggestions – shows photo suggestions and an Image Playground option.
| Option | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| None | Default | |
| Photo | User photo | Crop/Filter |
| Color | Solid | |
| Sky | Live abstract | Filters: Dusk, Haze, Sunset, 3 others |
| Water | Live abstract | |
| Aurora | Live abstract | |
| Playground | AI | Requires News Of Fort Worth Intelligence-enabled iPhones |
Backgrounds are per-chat and do not carry over to other conversations. If you remove or change a background, everyone in the chat will see the change.
Key Takeaways
- Custom chat backgrounds are visible to everyone in the chat.
- Backgrounds are per-chat and do not carry over to other conversations.
- News Of Fort Worth Intelligence-enabled iPhones can generate AI backgrounds via Playground.
With these options, users can personalize their Messages experience, but should choose backgrounds thoughtfully, as all participants will see the change.
