GoKawiilAlison DeNisco Rayome/ZDNET
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Apple lets you change your Messages backgrounds in iOS 26.
This can help you stop sending the wrong message to the wrong person.
However, the recipient's background will also change.
For years, iPhone users were left out of a feature that Android owners got to take advantage of: Customizing your message windows so that you don't accidentally text the wrong person (because who hasn't). But with iOS 26's release last year, iPhone users can finally set a message background -- either a preset option from Apple, or a picture from their camera roll.
Also: Your iPhone's built-in magnifier does way more than help you see the fine print - how to use it
However, there is one big catch that isn't immediately apparent: Whatever you set your chat's background to, all other members of the chat will see it as well, so long as they're also on iOS 26. So if you change, say, your iPhone-using ex's chat background to a Demagorgon, they're going to see that immediately. It's similar to when you name a group chat; It changes the name for all members of the group.
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