Variety is the spice of life. Or so the saying goes. So, it's a good thing that Instagram lets you change the themes and colors of your Instagram chats. It means you can liven up your DMs.
Previously, the closest you could get to tweaking the appearance of your Instagram chats was by activating Dark Mode. But that got boring quickly. Now, thanks to chat themes, messaging on Instagram has become a lot more fun, customizable, and visually appealing.
In this article, we explain how to use Instagram chat themes to liven up your DMs. And in case you can't get chat themes working on your Instagram account, we also offer some troubleshooting tips.
First, check that you have the latest version of Instagram installed on your device. Go to the Apple App Store (for iOS devices) or Google Play Store (for Android devices) and check if there's an update available for Instagram.
Once in the respective app stores, simply search for Instagram, and if you see an Update option on the application page instead of Open, tap it to download and install the latest version of the app. Alternatively, follow the links below to download the latest version.
That's the only way to ensure you're running Instagram's latest version and have access to chat features—you can't manually activate the feature.
After updating, the Direct Messaging (DM) icon will be substituted with the Facebook Messenger icon. Now, you can proceed to use chat themes in your Instagram conversations. If the Direct Messaging icon persists, check out our troubleshooting guide at the bottom of the article. Along with chat themes, you should check out other things you didn't know you could do on Instagram.
Download: Instagram for Android | iOS (Free)
Now that you've got access to chat themes, you can start customizing your DM inbox.
Follow the steps below to customize your Instagram DMs with chat themes.
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Changing your Instagram chat themes is just the tip of the iceberg, here's everything you need to know about Instagram DMs.
When you choose a theme, the chat background/wallpaper will be changed to a preset image or art, while the color of your text bubbles will be modified to a shade that matches the background.
So if you want more customization, change your Instagram chat theme. You also don't need to download Instagram chat themes—they are available by default.
You should note that the wallpaper change takes effect for both parties in the chat. So, if your friend gets a little artistic and modifies the chat theme of your conversation on their Instagram app, the change will also be reflected on your end.
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This could cause confusion or conflict if you both want to use different themes or colors and can't agree on one. Chat themes work on both personal and group chats. However, they are not available on the web version of Instagram.
Colors and gradients only change the color of your text bubble. The receiver's text bubble and background color will remain unchanged in your chat window.
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Each time a chat theme is changed, Instagram notifies both parties in the conversation via a message in the chat window.
Selecting Change Theme from the notification message allows you to swiftly change chat themes or color gradients without going to the chat details page.
If you can't change your Instagram chat themes, there are some simple ways to fix any potential issues.
As mentioned earlier, you may have to update your Instagram messaging to use chat themes. If your DM icon stays the same as the old one, close the app and relaunch.
Remember, you don't need to download Instagram again. Everything is handled in the background, and you'll be up and running in the blink of an eye.
If that doesn't work, try these fixes instead.
Accumulated cache files sometimes cause apps to malfunction. If you're experiencing problems updating Instagram messaging or using chat themes, delete the cache data for the Instagram app and try again.
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Since Android devices use different skins of the Android OS, specific steps may vary for your phone. Your Android version might also be different.
You may be able to squash any device-related snags preventing chat themes from reflecting on the Instagram app by restarting your phone. Like the adage says: "Have you tried turning it off and on again?"
Restart your phone, and when the operating system has fully rebooted, launch Instagram and check if you can now use chat themes.
Finally, you can try logging out of your Instagram account. Follow these steps:
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Close and then reopen Instagram. Log back into your account and check if chat themes are now working correctly.
The default Instagram background and chat bubbles are bland. Chat themes let you treat your Instagram DMs like a canvas. So, why not splash on some color and get creative. That way, even if your friends are boring you, you'll have something nice to look at.
However, since these changes are reflected both on your side and the person on the other end, it might be a good idea not to change chat themes often or without consulting the other party.
By Jam Kotenko
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Instagram direct messages can be personalized via the background theme feature included in the chat's settings.
Users can pick from a slew of styles.
Instagram's direct messaging feature has a switch that lets users modify the theme of each individual chat to a less plain one. This ability gives users a better handle on customizing the media-sharing app's interface so that it fits their aesthetic preferences more. In some cases, it can even improve their experience in viewing content on the platform.
While Instagram's main purpose is to provide people a way to share photos and videos with a network of friends and strangers alike, it's also becoming a highly popular messaging app. Not only can users share stories designed to disappear after 24 hours, but they can also control who can view them and send them responses via direct message. Being able to stay on top of their Instagram inbox is something all users should be adept at, and there are quite a few features they can play around with to ensure that they aren't inundated with too many unread messages.
Related: How To Limit (Or Completely Turn Off) Instagram Story Replies
A feature that may have multiple practical benefits is the ability to change the background of Instagram DMs.
To do this, simply launch the Instagram mobile app and hit 'Inbox' (chat bubble icon) in the top-right corner of the screen. Select a conversation from the list of DMs and tap the title of the chat thread to open 'Details'. Under 'Chat settings', tap on 'Theme' and select one from the many available background options to use.
Selections listed under 'Themes' are ones that are regularly updated and may include designs showcasing Instagram's latest trends. Under 'Colors & gradients' are options that are free from busier design elements. Changing the background to individual Instagram DMs is a great way to personalize conversations with certain individuals or groups. It's also a nice change from the monotony of just a plain white or black background. Those who regularly message their friends via Instagram DM will have an easier time making sure they are responding to the right chat thread just by simply glancing at the chat theme and recognizing it immediately.
Another perk Instagram users may not have considered is the way background color or design can drastically improve the app's overall functionality and the user's experience while on it.
Over-exposure to a mobile device screen — especially one that has its brightness turned way up — can cause major eye strain and fatigue. For Instagram users who enjoy being on the app for hours, enabling a chat theme that's less strenuous to the eyes (like 'Lo-Fi', 'Monochrome', or one of the darker gradients) can be a useful modification. It can also aid users in being less conspicuous when browsing through their Instagram inbox in public and dimly lit environments.
Next: What Are Silent Instagram DMs & Why Should We Send Them?
Source: Instagram
What Are Silent Instagram DMs & Why Should We Send Them?
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About The Author
Jam Kotenko (126 Articles Published)
Jam Kotenko is a long-time freelance writer with focus on cool tech, social media, entertainment, and lifestyle.
Her bylines have appeared in publications such as Digital Trends, The Daily Dot, and Bustle and was often tapped to test and review new mobile apps, compile best-of lists, and share details on her OKCupid success story. She recently contributed articles relating to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic for Nautilus Magazine. She is a full-time stay-at-home mom to two rambunctious boys and a nap-loving dog. She is currently bnb-hopping from Seattle to Las Vegas with her family in search for their next home. She enjoys listening to comedy podcasts on Spotify and fantasy books on Audible and has discovered the joy of K-dramas on Netflix. She and her husband are currently catching up on old TV faves and watching season 10 of The Walking Dead and Survivor: Samoa (yes, they're verrrry delayed).
More From Jam Kotenko
BeReal: Which Is Better? Recently, Facebook pushed a Big Update for Instagram Change the way you use the messaging feature.
Various features have been introduced such as emoji interaction, stealth mode, selfie stickers, and chat themes. Unfortunately, some users are unable to experience the functionality of Instagram Chat Themes. If Instagram chat threads are not showing up on your phone, let's find out together how to fix it.
The chat theme differs from the application theme in that you can choose between dark or light mode. Chat themes feature different colors, but only the chat background or bubble color changes.
If the Instagram chat topics don't work for you, then the following solutions may help. Let's start.
In this article
For convenience, in this post we will name both attributes. The first solution is to follow the correct steps to change the subject of the chat.
Step 1: enable Instagram App and click Messenger icon above. If you see the old private message icon, go to the next solution.
Step 2: Click on الدردشة what you want to change she called it أو her color is .
In chat, tap the (I) icon above.
Pro tip: Learn how to see the first post on Instagram without scrolling.
Step 3: You will see the option Attribute . Press here. Various themes and colors will appear. Click the theme you want to use.
The bubble changes color when the keyboard is active and when it is not, as you can see in the following screenshots.
Tip: If the theme colors look weird, switch between dark and light theme in Instagram settings > Appearance.
If you don't see the theme setting in Instagram posts, you need to update the Instagram app. Open Play Store (Android) and App Store (iOS) and search for Instagram. Click Update. After the update, open the Instagram app and you'll see a notification saying that something like the cross-app messaging or messaging offer has changed.
Click on it and follow the instructions on the screen to get the theme feature.
If you don't see any notifications, please remove the Instagram app from the recent apps list or restart your phone after updating the app. Then open Instagram again and you will get a new feature.
When the message is updated, the Instagram Direct Messaging (DM) icon will be replaced with the Facebook Messenger logo. Only when you have the new icon will you be able to use themes in Instagram chats. Follow the steps above to change the subject of a chat.
If you decline or don't receive an in-app messaging notification. don't worry. In the Instagram app, go to your profile screen and tap on the three stripes icon. Select the settings in it.
You will see the message update at the top. Press here. A new screen will open showing the different features of Instagram posts. Click Update.
Pro Tip: If you don't see the messaging update, first update the Instagram app if you don't see it and restart your phone.
You will be asked if you want to link your Instagram and Facebook accounts. If you do this, you will be able to send messages to your Messenger contacts from Instagram. Click Continue if you want to link them, or click Skip.
Go to the main screen of the Instagram app and you will see that the Messenger logo has replaced the old DM icon. Open the chat and you will be able to change the subject as instructed in Fix 1.
Hint: Learn What is Instagram Mute and how to use it.
Then you should try to log out of your Instagram account. For many users, logging out helped them get the chat themes working. To log out of the Instagram app, go to your profile screen and tap the three-stripe icon. Select "Settings".
Scroll down and click Sign Out xyz, where xyz is your account name. Alternatively, if you have multiple accounts added to Instagram, click Log out of all accounts.
Make sure you know your account passwords before hitting the logout button.
After logging out, restart your phone. Then log in again. Hopefully the chat themes will now work with your account.
Pro Tip: Check out our guide on how to delete your Instagram Remember account.
You can try to clear the cache and data of the Instagram app to get chat topics on Android phones. Clearing cache or data will not delete your Instagram photos or any other personal data on your phone. However, clearing your data will log you out of all your Instagram accounts on your phone.
To clear the cache and data of the Instagram app, go to Settings > Apps. Click Instagram.
On Instagram, tap Storage location . Then press Clear cache First.
Go back and press the close button. Open the Instagram app and check if you can use chat themes after enabling the new messaging feature.
If that doesn't work, click the Clear Storage or Clear Data button. Open Instagram and sign in with your account details. Then try changing the chat theme.
Pro tip: Find out in detail what's going on by clearing app data Like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, contacts, etc.
If the solutions above don't work, try uninstalling the Instagram app. To uninstall on Android, open Settings > Apps > Instagram. Click the Delete button. Alternatively, press and hold the Instagram app icon on the home screen and select Delete. Also on iPhone, touch and hold the Instagram app icon and select Delete App.
Deleting the Instagram app will not delete the Instagram account or the photos on it. Find out in detail what happens when you uninstall the Instagram app from your phone.
Instagram is slowly rolling out the chat feature. It may not be available in your country yet.
We ask you to be patient until you get the advantage. Remember that good work takes time.
If you don't like the themes or colors that Instagram provides, you can't uninstall this feature. However, you can switch to the look and feel of your original Instagram posts by simply selecting "Classic" from the list of themes/colors.
Let me explain right away that the topic of the chat is not the main idea of the dialogue. This is the ability to change the background in the chat. This has long been in instant messengers and just in SMS correspondence. Now the topic can also be selected in the direct, and how to change the topic of the chat in messages, and what other features appeared in the Instagram dialogs, I will tell in the article.
Before we start to understand this and other new features of Direct, update the Instagram application.
Since the "chat topic" function may simply not work for you due to the old version. Installation takes place in just a few clicks.
Step 1: Enter the dialog where you want to change the subject. In the upper right corner, click on the "i" icon, then "Theme".
Change Chat ThemeStep 2: Choose your favorite instagram chat theme and return to the dialog. A notification about which topic you set will be displayed at the end of the conversation.
Choosing and setting a themeBelow, after the chat theme options, you can customize the colors and gradients of the messages you send. But keep in mind that you cannot select both a theme and a gradient at the same time.
Colors and gradientsIn addition to the chat theme, Direct has other convenient and visually unusual things for communication.
Live text Now you can animate your message. To do this, write the text, click on the magnifying glass on the left. Select an effect and an animation with the desired message will be sent to the user.
Animated messageYou can send stickers and GIFs in Direct. The principle is the same, type the text, click on the magnifying glass. Next, you can choose a gif or a sticker from those offered, or you can find it through the search on the desired topic.
Stickers and GIFsInteresting. You can quickly and safely promote your social network by boosting likes, reposts and views on publications. This is an inexpensive and safe way that will not make you wait long for the result. And most importantly, you will be able to increase coverage and get a hot target audience. Click and use -> TapLike
Now, if you have received several messages in a row, you can send a separate reply to each.
And if you have a group chat - answer a specific user. You can drag the desired message to the right and a reply window will appear.
Another way is to respond quickly. Just long press on a message and select an emoji. If you need other emojis, click on +.
Quick responseIt is extremely easy to use updates in the direct on Instagram, in particular the theme of the chat. But questions can still arise, so in the end I answered the most frequent ones.
1. What if I don't have the update?
You can update the application in any market. If there is no update there, check if you have updated Android or IOS to the latest version.
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2. Can I put different topics in different chats?
You can enable a new topic through any chat.
