Does iMessage background change affect recipient iPhone?

Then you will need to send a Feature Request to Apple here and under Feedback type choose Feature Request:

Messages - Feature Request

There was never an option to customize the background of the Messages app before, other than the Light or Dark display, and the newly added Conversation Background is not for you. That feature is only for collaboration between individual Contacts or Groups and will not persist if you choose to message someone else.

You are looking for a background option other than Light/Dark for the Messages app that only you see on your device and just like there was not one before, there is not one now. That would require a Feature Request.

The background is meant to be something that is custom for the group, like a group / convo profile picture or name. This is an intentional feature.

snmark wrote:

Well, that shouldn’t happen, if I want to have a certain background on my phone the recipient shouldn’t be able to turn my background off. It’s personal to me, not for other people to dictate what I want or like, that goes for pfp as well. Apple should do something about that choice.

The answer has already been provided, you just have to turn off the Conversation Background in Settings and your background will not change at all. Problem Solved! Review the previous post for the exact location in Settings that you need to change.

For you concern about the Profile Picture, you can either prevent yours from being sent to others or prevent viewing others Profile Pictures on your device.

• To not share your Profile Picture - Go to Settings > Messages > Share Name and Photo and toggle Name & Photo Sharing to off
• To hide other people's contact photos - Go to Settings > Messages > Show Contact Photos and turn it off.

If you don't want another person to change the message background, then turn the feature off by going to Settings > Apps > Messages > Conversation Backgrounds. The recipient has the choice on whether they want to use that feature or not. When in a group chat, a background change will be seen by other users, just not you if you have turned it off.

I agree with snmark! I want to be able to have a background for my text messages without other people being able to change it! Turning off the feature does not solve the problem, it just turns the background to black! Apple needs to give us this feature. With all these updates, and new features, you all need to listen to your customers and what we want or would like to have. Samsung allows their users to use a third party app to do this and since Apple does not allow third party messaging apps, then allow us to have this feature in messaging!!! I love Apple and I am a loyal customer and if you want to keep your loyal customers, then you should listen to their concerns and be willing to use their suggestions.

Apple will not see your feature request here. The only participation for support is from users just like you. If you want to request a feature where Apple will see it, then that is done by using the Feedback link.

Messages - Feature Request

It is the same concept as changing the pfp or name of a group chat