Most default messaging apps on Android have improved. For example, Google Messages has various security and interactive features introduced throughRCS chat. While Messages offers HD media sharing, typing indicators, message reactions, and end-to-end encryption, the chat aesthetics remain almost the same. Some may find the text bubbles hard to read and bland. Samsung Messages face similar issues. Whether you want to make conversations pop or improve readability on yourpocket-friendly Android phone, this guide focuses on changing the color of the text bubbles on your smartphone.
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Change the color of text bubbles with Material You
Google Messages is simple and functional, but you don’t get those heavy customization options to spice up your chatbox. If your phone runs Android 12 or later, use Material You theming to customize its interface. That way, the text bubbles and the interface take different shades of color from your wallpaper and the chosen palette.
How to change the text message bubble color in Google Messages
Add a splash of color to your conversations
If you want to change the color of text bubbles on Android, your best bet is to apply a new wallpaper or pick a different color palette. The new theme applies across your phone’s interface, including apps that support Material You theming.
Android 14 and Android 15 allow you customize the Material You theme for better readability. The options were introduced in Android 14 but are even easier to preview with Android 15. You can select from three different contrast levels: Default, Medium, and High. So if you are having trouble seeing the text, try changing the contrast levels.
We use a phone running stock Android 13 for these illustrations. The steps may be slightly different on other phones or Android versions.
While Google Messages relies on Material You to change its look, Samsung Galaxy users can change the color of text bubbles and more in the Samsung Messages app. It’s one of our favorite ways toimprove texting on a Samsung Galaxy.
Use Material You on Samsung Galaxy phones
Samsung uses a different user interface on Galaxy phones. The One UI Android skin has a different Settings app. Samsung users can follow the steps below to change the device theme and chat bubble color on Android.
Change the color of text bubbles with accessibility features
Accessibility features are a part of the core features that make Android usable for everyone. If you can’t read messages easily due to a visual impairment or color blindness, Google has accessibility features to help you change the color of text bubbles. Using color correction, color inversion, and dark mode can make text bubbles look better and readable in different situations.
Color correction in accessbility settings
Activating one of the four color correction options on Android can make text messages more readable for those with color blindness.
Unlike Google, Samsung buried the Color correction option under the Vision enhancement menu. The steps on your Samsung phone or tablet differ slightly.
Color inversion in accessibility settings
Inverting the display colors is perfect if you need more contrast to read text on your phone. When activated, it turns the white pixels on the screen to black and the black pixels to white. Pictures won’t look great, but it makes the text more readable for some.
If you’re able to’t read your text messages due to photophobia or light sensitivity, turning on a dark themeis a better option. Samsung Galaxy users can follow the steps below to activate color inversion on their devices.
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Use the default Theme store on your Android phone
While Google doesn’t offer a dedicated theme store on Pixel phones, third-party manufacturers do. If you have an Android phone from Samsung, Xiaomi, or Oppo and use their Messages app, you can change the color of text bubbles by applying another theme. In the screenshots below, we use a Samsung phone as an example and change the color of the text bubbles in the One UI Messages app.
The trick below works with the default Messages app on Samsung devices only. It doesn’t affect the Google Messages app.
Glance over the screenshots below to check the applied theme in the Samsung Messages app.
Try an alternative texting app
Google Messages offers features that make it worthwhile. It even has become thedefault messaging app for newer Samsung phones. However, Messages still doesn’t provide enough customization features, such as a real means to overhaul your text bubbles on Android. Trying a different color palette works but may leave you wanting more. And if you are seeking more alternatives, otherpopular texting appscome with excellent customization features that give Google a run for its money.
