Messenger, the popular messaging app from Meta (formerly Facebook), has come a long way since its launch in 2011. What started as a simple way to chat with Facebook friends has evolved into a feature-rich platform with over 1.3 billion monthly active users as of 2022, according to Statista. One of the most beloved features is the ability to customize your Messenger background, which was introduced in 2016.
In this ultimate guide, we‘ll dive deep into everything you need to know about changing your Messenger background. We‘ll cover the step-by-step process for mobile and desktop devices, explore the psychology behind why people love customizing their chats, share creative background ideas, and more. By the end, you‘ll be a master of Messenger personalization!
The Evolution of Messenger Backgrounds
Before we get into the how-to, let‘s take a quick look at the history of Messenger‘s background customization feature:
- 2016: Messenger introduces the ability to change chat backgrounds to solid colors.
- 2017: Messenger adds pre-made themes and the ability to use custom photos as backgrounds.
- 2018: Messenger introduces gradient backgrounds and the ability to set a default background for all chats.
- 2020: Messenger adds more themes, including dynamic ones with subtle animations.
Over the years, Meta has continually expanded and improved the background customization options, recognizing the feature‘s popularity among users. A 2017 TechCrunch article reported that following the introduction of custom chat colors, use of the feature increased by 10X, and Messenger saw a 20% boost in user conversations.
Why People Love Custom Backgrounds
So what is it about custom backgrounds that people find so appealing? There are a few key psychological reasons:
Self-expression: Customizing your Messenger background is a way to express your unique personality and style. It‘s a form of digital self-expression, similar to choosing your clothes or decorating your home.
Mood enhancement: Seeing a visually pleasing or personally meaningful background can boost your mood and make conversations more enjoyable. This is backed by color psychology research – for example, studies have shown that looking at the color blue can promote feelings of calm and relaxation.
Strengthening relationships: Sharing a custom background with a friend or partner can create a sense of intimacy and connection. It‘s a small way to show that the conversation and relationship are special and unique.
Organization and differentiation: Using different backgrounds for different chats can help you quickly identify and differentiate between conversations. This is especially useful if you‘re a frequent Messenger user with many chats.
In a 2019 survey by Messenger, 65% of respondents said they use emojis, GIFs, and stickers to better communicate their thoughts and feelings. Custom backgrounds can serve a similar function, allowing users to set the tone and atmosphere of their chats in a visually engaging way.
How to Change Your Messenger Background on Mobile
Now, let‘s get into the nitty-gritty of actually changing your Messenger background. We‘ll start with the process for mobile devices, which is quite straightforward:
Open the Messenger app on your iOS or Android device.
Tap on the conversation you want to customize. Note that you can only change the background for individual chats, not the general Messenger home screen.
Tap the name of the person or group at the top of the chat to open the chat settings.
Scroll down and tap "Theme".
Here, you‘ll see a selection of pre-made themes, organized into categories like "Bright", "Dark", "Patterned", and "Seasonal". Tap a theme to preview it.
If you like the theme, tap "Set Theme" to apply it to the conversation. If you change your mind, simply tap "Cancel" to return to the theme selection screen.
The selected theme will now appear as the background for that specific chat. Repeat the process for any other conversations you want to customize.
But what if you want to use a custom photo instead of a pre-made theme? No problem:
In the "Theme" menu, tap "Custom" at the top of the screen.
Tap "Choose from Camera Roll" to select a photo from your device‘s gallery, or tap "Take Photo" to capture a new one using your camera.
Crop the photo as desired and tap "Set" to apply it as the background for that chat.
Keep in mind that very busy or dark photos may make your messages harder to read, so it‘s best to choose a relatively simple image with good contrast.
How to Change Your Messenger Background on Desktop
If you prefer to use Messenger on your computer, you can also customize your background there. The process is very similar whether you‘re using the Messenger website or the desktop app:
Go to the Messenger website (www.messenger.com) or open the desktop app.
Click on the conversation you want to customize.
Click the gear icon in the top right corner of the chat window to open the chat settings.
In the drop-down menu, hover over "Change Theme" and click "Choose a Theme".
Browse the available themes and click one to preview it.
If you like how it looks, click "Set" to apply the theme to that conversation. If not, choose another theme or click "Cancel" to exit without making changes.
The new background will appear in the selected chat. Repeat the process for any other conversations you want to customize.
One limitation of the desktop version of Messenger is that it doesn‘t currently allow you to use a custom photo as your background, unlike the mobile app. You‘re limited to the pre-made themes, which do change periodically for holidays and seasons.
Creative Messenger Background Ideas
Now that you know how to change your Messenger background, it‘s time to get creative! Here are some ideas to spark your imagination:
Use a photo of a shared memory: For close friends or family, set a background photo of a memorable moment you experienced together, like a vacation snapshot or a photo from a special event.
Match your background to your mood or the conversation topic: Feeling happy? Choose a bright yellow background! Discussing travel plans? Set a background featuring a beautiful destination.
Celebrate holidays and seasons: Update your background to match the current holiday or season. Messenger often releases special themed backgrounds for major holidays.
Showcase your interests: Use a background that represents your hobbies, favorite sports team, or beloved fictional characters.
Create inside jokes: For your closest friends, set a background that references an inside joke or shared meme that only you two would understand.
Coordinate with your friend: Agree on a matching background with a friend to create a sense of unity and connection in your chat.
Remember, the best Messenger background is one that makes you happy and enhances your messaging experience. Don‘t be afraid to experiment and change your background often!
The Impact of Custom Backgrounds on Online Communication
Beyond just being a fun feature, custom Messenger backgrounds can actually have an impact on online communication and relationships. Here are a few ways:
Enhancing emotional connection: By allowing users to personalize their chats, custom backgrounds can make online conversations feel more intimate and emotionally resonant. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships found that the use of emojis, GIFs, and stickers in online communication can help convey a sense of emotional tone and enhance the quality of relationships.
Facilitating self-disclosure: Choosing to share a personal photo or meaningful image as a background can be a form of self-disclosure, which is key to building close relationships. A 2019 study in the journal Computers in Human Behavior found that online self-disclosure is positively associated with relationship quality and intimacy.
Creating a sense of shared space: In face-to-face conversations, the physical environment can influence the interaction. Custom backgrounds can serve a similar function in online chats, creating a sense of a shared "space" that can make the conversation feel more grounded and connected.
Encouraging conversation and engagement: An interesting or eye-catching background can serve as a conversation starter and encourage more frequent and engaged communication. In a 2017 Messenger study, 57% of respondents said they were more likely to start a conversation with a business if they could do so through chat.
While custom backgrounds are just one small feature, they contribute to a larger trend of online communication becoming more visually rich, personalized, and emotionally expressive.
The Future of Chat Customization
As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more options for chat customization in the future. Some possibilities:
Animated and interactive backgrounds: We may see more dynamic backgrounds that respond to user input or change based on the content of the conversation.
AR and VR integration: As augmented and virtual reality technologies become more mainstream, we could see Messenger backgrounds that create immersive 3D environments for chats.
AI-generated backgrounds: In the future, AI algorithms could analyze the content and tone of a conversation and suggest appropriate background images or themes.
Cross-platform customization: We may see more options to sync and share custom backgrounds across different messaging platforms and devices.
No matter how the technology evolves, one thing is clear: the ability to personalize and customize our digital communication spaces will continue to be a priority for users. In a world where so much of our interaction happens online, features like custom backgrounds allow us to infuse our personalities and emotions into our chats, making the digital world feel a little more human.
Conclusion
Changing your Messenger background may seem like a small thing, but it can have a big impact on your messaging experience and relationships. By allowing users to express themselves, set the tone for conversations, and create a sense of shared space, custom backgrounds make online communication more personal and meaningful.
In this guide, we‘ve covered everything you need to know about changing your Messenger background in 2024. We‘ve walked through the step-by-step process for mobile and desktop devices, explored the psychology behind the feature‘s popularity, shared creative background ideas, and discussed the impact of custom backgrounds on online communication.
Whether you choose a pre-made theme or upload a custom photo, we encourage you to experiment with your Messenger background and find what works best for you. Use it to express your personality, enhance your mood, strengthen your relationships, and make your digital conversations a little more delightful.
Happy customizing!
