You can change a Samsung Messages conversation’s background and, on some devices, adjust text contrast—but Samsung’s documented settings do not let you choose an arbitrary text color. First check which messaging app you use: Samsung Messages and Google Messages have different controls.
What “text color” means in Samsung Messages
Samsung documents ways to customize an individual conversation’s wallpaper or background color. Some devices also show controls for bubble opacity or text contrast. Those options can change how messages look or how readable they are, but they are not a setting for picking a text color freely. Samsung’s instructions describe the available customization options.
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Change a conversation’s background in Samsung Messages
- Open the conversation in Samsung Messages.
- Tap More options (the three vertical dots).
- Tap Customize wallpaper or Customize chat room. The wording depends on the device.
- Tap the Gallery icon to select an image, or choose a color for the conversation background.
- If your device displays them, adjust bubble opacity or text contrast.
Samsung notes that menus and available controls vary by device, so an option may not appear on yours.
Check your app and Android version first
Samsung’s support instructions apply to Samsung Messages on Android 11 or older. Samsung also says Samsung Messages is not available for download on Galaxy devices running Android 12 or newer. If you do not see the menus above, confirm the app name and Android version before troubleshooting; you may be using Google Messages instead.
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There is also a time-sensitive availability issue: a Tom’s Guide report dated April 6, 2026 said Samsung announced that Samsung Messages would be discontinued starting in July 2026, and reported Samsung’s recommendation to switch to Google Messages. The article quoted Samsung as saying, “The Samsung Messages application will be discontinued in July 2026.” Availability may depend on when and where you read this, so check your device’s current messaging app rather than relying on an old menu guide. Read the Tom’s Guide report.
If you use Google Messages instead
Google Messages has a separate per-conversation theme setting; Samsung Messages menu names do not apply. Google’s steps are:
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- Open the conversation.
- Tap the recipient or group name, or tap More.
- Choose Chat theme, select a color theme, and tap Apply.
Google also describes options for choosing a photo or preset wallpaper and resetting a chat theme. Google says chat-theme changes are visible only to you, not to the other conversation participants. See Google Messages’ conversation customization help for its current instructions.
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