If you’re among the millions of people who use Instagram, you know that the app offers a lot more than just pretty pictures. One of the features that makes using Instagram more fun for its users is the ability to change the Instagram chat theme.
Whether you’re chatting with friends, family, or colleagues, or want to sell on Instagram DM, this tool can add a touch of personality to your interactions.
Now, you can change the look of your chat window to match your mood or style. That’s awesome, right?! But how to change the chat theme on Instagram? Let’s find out together.
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ToggleWhat Is Instagram Chat Theme?
Instagram Messenger has undergone positive changes recently. Now, inside the application, you can turn on vanish mode on Instagram, react to Instagram messages, or search for DMs with a keyword. One of the new features you can now use on Instagram DMs is changing the theme!
Introduced on November 18, 2020, Instagram chat themes are visual customizations applied to individual DM conversations. They change the background, color scheme, and sometimes even the bubble styles or emojis in your chats.
You can choose from a variety of themes, including the ones that match how you feel or your favorite colors and movies.

Instagram chat themes are a great way to add personality to your conversations. You can use them to show your mood, and favorite colors, or even just to make things more fun. There are tons of different themes to choose from, so you’re sure to find one that’s perfect for you.
How To Change Chat Theme On Instagram
Now that we know the Instagram chat theme meaning, let’s have some fun and start changing it in our chats.
Changing a theme on Instagram chat is very easy. Just follow these steps:
- Open the Instagram App and tap on the paper airplane or Meta Messenger icon in the top-right corner of the home screen.
- Tap on the chat you want to customize its theme.
- At the top of the chat screen, tap the recipient’s name or profile picture to open the chat details.
- Select “Themes” (or “Chat settings” in some versions, then “Theme”).
- Browse the available Themes, select one, and apply it to the chat. Instagram offers over 20 predefined themes, including colors, patterns, and special designs.

You can always change your Instagram chat theme to its default, following the same steps. On the Themes window, go to the end of the theme list and find ‘Default’.
Note: Ensure your app is updated to the latest version for access to all features, as older versions may have limited options.
Benefits of Using Instagram Chat Themes
You may wonder if it’s worth knowing how to change a chat theme on Instagram. Does it come with any advantages?
While chat themes are primarily aesthetic, they offer several practical and emotional benefits:

- Personalization: Themes allow you to express your mood, personality, or the nature of the relationship. For example, a romantic theme for a partner or a professional one for work chats.
- Enhanced Engagement: A visually appealing chat can make conversations more enjoyable, encouraging longer or more frequent interactions.
- Organization: Different themes can help visually distinguish between chats, making it easier to spot specific conversations at a glance.
- Fun and Creativity: It’s an easy way to add style and inspire creativity.
- No Performance Impact: Themes don’t affect app speed or data usage significantly, so you can experiment freely.
Overall, chat themes improve messaging by making it more engaging and user-friendly, which fits with Instagram’s emphasis on visual content.
If We Change Chat Theme On Instagram, Will They Know?
Chat themes are changed from both sides or for all members in a group conversation. Therefore, yes, if you change a chat theme on Instagram, the other user will be notified when they open the chat.
However, no notification will be sent to users, but they will see how many times you have changed the theme in your conversation.
Furthermore, if they change the theme, your chat theme will be changed, too.
Is It Good to Change the Instagram Chat Theme on a Business Chat?
So far, we know that changing a chat theme is fun for a social conversation. But what if you are using Instagram business chat? Is it professional to change the theme?
Changing the Instagram chat theme in a business chat can have both pros and cons:

Pros:
- Visual Appeal: A unique chat theme can make conversations more engaging and visually appealing, helping your brand stand out.
- Branding Consistency: You can choose colors and themes that align with your brand identity, creating a cohesive look and feel.
- Customer Experience: A personalized touch may enhance the customer experience, making interactions feel more friendly and approachable.
Cons:
- Professionalism: Some clients may prefer a more formal approach, and a quirky theme might not resonate well with everyone.
- Distraction: An overly busy or colorful theme could distract from the conversation and make important information harder to read.
- User Preference: Not all users may appreciate such changes, so it’s essential to consider your audience’s preferences.
So, what to do?
If you decide to change the chat theme, consider using subtle and professional colors that reflect your brand while ensuring the theme enhances, rather than detracts from, the communication experience. It’s always a good practice to stay adaptable based on client feedback.
Conclusion
Instagram’s default background and chat bubbles might be too bland for you. But the various, colorful Instagram chat themes allow you to change the mood and create a more fun space for having a friendly conversation. So, why not add some colors and be creative? You’ll have something to look at even if your friends are boring you!
However, because these changes are reflected on both your side and the person on the other end, it may be best not to change chat themes frequently or without first consulting the other party.
FAQs
Let’s take a quick look at questions that some users ask about the Instagram chat theme:
#1. Does the Instagram Chat Theme Change for Both?
When you change the theme of the chat, it affects everyone in the chat. The same goes for turning on the vanish mode on Instagram. So, if you want to change the chat theme, take into consideration that the person on the other side will also see the changes!
#2. Why Can’t I Get Themes on Instagram?
You should update your Instagram application. If after updating the application, you still have problems, you should check why your Instagram message features don’t work. Usually, it’s a connection problem or an Instagram glitch.
#3. Why Is My Instagram Chat Black?
Your Instagram DMs text is black for one of the following reasons:
- Instagram’s server is currently unavailable.
- You have no Internet connection.
- Instagram has a glitch that affects direct messages.
#4 Can I Customize the Instagram Chat Theme by Using an Image from My Gallery?
Currently, Instagram does not allow you to upload your own photos from your gallery to use as a custom chat background or theme. Therefore, you won’t be able to customize your chat theme. You can only choose a theme from its list.
#5 Will Changing the Theme Affect My Other Chats?
No, you can select a different theme for each conversation. Every change is made only in one conversation.