Google Messages, the default texting app on most Android phones, has more personalization options than many people realize: themes, bubble colors that match your wallpaper, per-conversation backgrounds, notification sounds, text size, swipe actions, and RCS chat features. This guide walks through each setting, where to find it, and a few tips for a cleaner, more useful inbox. Menu names can differ slightly by phone and app version.
Quick Answer
Open Google Messages, tap your profile picture (or the three-dot menu), then Messages settings. From there you can change the theme, bubble colors, notifications, chat features, suggestions and swipe actions.
Change the Theme (Light, Dark or System)
- Tap your profile picture or the three dots at the top right.
- Tap Choose theme (sometimes under Messages settings > Display).
- Pick Light, Dark or System default.
Change Bubble Colors and Conversation Backgrounds
- Match your wallpaper: on Android 12 and later, Messages uses Material You colors from your wallpaper. Change the wallpaper or Settings > Wallpaper & style palette to change bubble colors.
- Per-conversation color and background: in newer versions, open a conversation, tap the contact’s name or the three dots, and look for Customize or Change background. You can pick a color theme or background for that chat. See how to change the background on Google Messages.
Customize Notifications
- Go to Messages settings > Notifications.
- Tap Incoming messages to change the sound, vibration and pop-up behavior.
- For one contact, open the conversation, tap the three dots > Details > Notifications and set a custom sound or turn them off.
- Turn on Bubbles to show conversations as floating chat heads (Android 11 and later).
Change Text Size
Pinch in or out inside a conversation to change text size in Messages. To change it everywhere, use Settings > Display > Font size on your phone.
Set Swipe Actions
In Messages settings > Swipe actions, choose what happens when you swipe a conversation left or right: Archive, Delete, Mark as read/unread, or None.
Turn On RCS Chat Features
RCS adds typing indicators, read receipts, high-quality photos, larger files, and messaging over Wi-Fi.
- Go to Messages settings > RCS chats (called Chat features in older versions).
- Turn on Turn on RCS chats and wait for Status: Connected.
- Toggle Send read receipts and Show typing indicators to your preference.
RCS works with other Android users who have it on and, where carriers support it, with iPhones on iOS 18 or later.
Suggestions, Previews and Other Options
- Suggestions: turn Smart Reply, suggested actions and stickers on or off.
- Automatic previews: choose whether links show previews and whether images download on mobile data.
- Spam protection: keep it on to filter suspected spam.
- Emoji and reactions: long-press a message to react; some versions let you swap default reactions.
- Pin conversations: long-press a chat and tap the pin icon to keep it at the top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I change bubble colors?
Colors follow your wallpaper’s theme on Android 12 and later. On older Android, colors are fixed. Per-chat color options depend on your app version.
Can I use a custom photo as a background?
Options vary by version. Some builds offer preset backgrounds only.
Can I use Messages on my computer?
Yes. Go to messages.google.com/web and pair your phone from Device pairing in the app.
Summary
- Profile picture > Messages settings for most options.
- Choose theme for light or dark mode; wallpaper sets bubble colors.
- Customize notifications per app and per contact.
- Turn on RCS chats for modern messaging features.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.