iMessage from Apple is a simple and intuitive application that many iOS users use to communicate with each other. While it lends little to user customization, if your goal is to change the coloring used to characterize iMessage messages, there are some options to choose from. This article shows the available choices and the steps required to customize the iMessage app.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Change the Color Gamut Used by iMessage Via App
Step 1. Select the Apple App Store icon located on the home of your iPhone
If you are currently using an application, press the "Home" button to immediately return to the main screen of the device. From here you will be able to locate and select the icon in question.
Step 2. Perform a search
To do this, select the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the screen. As you may have noticed, in most versions of iOS, this option is located at the bottom of the main page of the App Store, although each version of the operating system has some differences.
Step 3. Look for an application that can create different images for iMessage messages
All the applications you can find within the App Store don't actually change the iMessagge settings, instead they create images containing the text you want to send (using the font, style and color you want), then allowing you paste them into the text field relating to the composition of the message in the iMessage interface.
- There are a lot of apps available, including "Color Texting" and "Color Your Messages". All work in a very similar way, the substantial differences lie in the number and type of fonts, backgrounds and colors that can be used.
- If you want to have a complete list of the options available to you, perform a search using the keywords "color iMessage" (without quotes), then press the "Search" button. As a result you should get a list of applications specially designed to create iMessage messages according to your personal style.
Step 4. Choose an application
Scroll through the list of results and select for example "Color Text Messages", "Color Messaging Pro" or "Color Texting for iMessage". Some of the applications are free, while others cost approximately less than 1 euro.
- Read the comments of users who have already used these apps. Some applications have errors or bugs, or are no longer compatible with the current version of iMessages.
- Look for an app that has the features you want. Most applications include sample images of the customizations you can make. Look for one that fully reflects the style you want.
Step 5. Press the "Install" button
You may need to provide login credentials to your Apple ID, unless you have done so before.
Step 6. Launch the application
To do this, you can press the "Open" button at the end of the installation to locate the relevant icon from the main screen.
Step 7. Create a custom text message
Use the options in the various menus available to create an image that matches your style.
- If you are using the "Color Your Messages" app, you have three options: the first provides a predefined text style with background, the second allows you to change the color of the text, background or both, while the third option allows you to change the font. Selecting any of these options will bring up a list of options at the bottom of the screen related to templates, colors and fonts. After choosing the option you want, compose the text of your message.
- If you use "Color Texting", after starting the application, six icons will appear on the screen with the following text: "Colored Bubbles", "Textured Bubbles", "Colored Text", "Glow Text", "Cursive Text", "Ghost Text". Choose the option you want and scroll through the list of predefined templates made available by the app in the central part of the screen. Choose the style or color you prefer, then compose your message.
Step 8. Copy, paste and send the image you created
Whichever application you choose to customize your messages, you will need to manually copy and paste the resulting image from your edits into iMessage.
- If you use "Color Your Messages", after composing your message, press the "Send" button. A series of instructions will appear on the screen informing you that the image created by the app has been copied to the system clipboard, and showing you how to send it via iMessage. Press the "Continue" button. The application will be minimized in the background allowing you to open iMessage. Find and select the discussion you are interested in, then press and hold your finger on the text field for composing the message until the "Paste" icon appears on the screen. Select the "Paste" icon and send the message.
- If you use "Color Texting", after creating the image containing your message, press the "Click here to send the text message" button. A new window will open warning you that the image in question has been copied to the system clipboard. Press the "Ok" button and then the "Home" button. Open iMessage and select the contact of your interest. Press and hold your finger on the text field for composing the message until the "Paste" icon appears on the screen. Select the "Paste" icon and send the message.
Method 2 of 2: Change iMessage Colors by Jailbreaking iPhone
Step 1. Understand what it means to jailbreak your iPhone
Within the community of users who own an iPhone, jailbreaking it means removing all restrictions on the use of the device introduced by Apple in the iOS operating system. For all those who want to feel the device and personalize it in all its aspects, this is definitely the best option. However, it remains a choice not suitable for anyone.
- Check if jailbreaking your iPhone will void its warranty. Unless you are experienced in jailbreaking iOS devices, you may want to wait for Apple's one-year warranty to expire.
- With iOS, Apple has tried to create a usage environment that is safe for almost every user (since the operation of the system is strictly regulated). For this you will not have to worry about viruses, malware or being the victim of a scam thanks to the protection offered by the restrictions applied by Apple.
Step 2. Update iTunes and save your files
Before proceeding, make a full backup of all your personal files, to protect them in case something goes wrong.
- Update iTunes with the latest version available.
- Back up iPhone using iTunes and / or Apple's cloud.
- Choose a program to jailbreak. Applications like RedSn0w or RageBreak are great options. If you wish, you can search for the latest and best programs that can jailbreak your iPhone model. There are many options available, and determining which one is best may not be easy unless you know of other users who have used a particular application without experiencing any problems. After all, these are programs that are not certified by Apple, and therefore have not been professionally tested.
- Many of these programs are updated to be compatible with a certain version of iOS and not with later versions (this is because Apple intentionally modifies the operating system precisely to prevent it from jailbreaking). This is an event that occurs often; for example, a program may work correctly on iOS version 8.1.1, but not on version 8.1.2. In any case, any such application should be accompanied by detailed information on what it can and cannot do.
Step 3. Install the jailbreak application
To do this you need to download the installer on a computer in order to complete the jailbreak process.
- Download the program in question on your computer.
- Install the program on your computer. Remember that the application will provide you with an access code that you will need to use later. So keep track of this code and keep it handy.
- Download the latest version of the iOS firmware. You can do this using [iphonehacks.com/download-iphone-ios-firmware this link]. After running your chosen jailbreak program as the computer administrator, you will need to select the firmware file you just downloaded.
Step 4. Make sure your computer and iPhone are ready to be connected
Check that your computer and iPhone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Step 5. Complete the jailbreak process
- Activate your iPhone's DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade) mode. To do this you have to hold down the "Power" button for 3 seconds. Then press and hold the "Power" and "Home" buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds. Finally release the "Power" button while continuing to press the "Home" button. Turn off your phone and connect it to your computer. Now you are ready to install the program you just downloaded on the iPhone.
- The jailbreak program will activate on your iPhone. Release the "Home" button and wait for the phone to restart.
- After activating the jailbreak program, you will be asked to activate the iPhone DFU mode again. The device may be restarted several times.
- Find the IP address associated with your iPhone. You can find it in the "Wi-Fi" section of the "Settings" of the iPhone.
- Open the command prompt or terminal window on your computer and type the following command: "ssh root @" (without the quotes and putting the IP address of the iPhone inside the angle brackets).
- Type in the password that was given to you after installing the jailbreak program.
Step 6. Install Cydia (if possible)
Cydia is an application that allows you to download new iPhone programs that are not available through the Apple App Store. Some jailbreak programs automatically install Cydia, in which case there will therefore be no need to install the app at a later time. If the program used for the jailbreak does not install Cydia automatically, type the following command in the terminal window or command prompt: "wget -q -O /tmp/cyinstall.sh https://downloads.kr1sis.net /cyinstall.sh && chmod 755 /tmp/cyinstall.sh && /tmp/cyinstall.sh "(without quotes).
Step 7. Restart the iPhone
On the "Home" of your device, the Cydia icon should have appeared.
Step 8. Start Cydia
Search for a program that allows you to customize key parts of the iPhone interface, such as the range of colors or text used by iMessage. Two of the most used options are "Winterboard" and "Dreamboard", but there are others as well. Install the chosen application on the iPhone. The icon of the newly installed app will appear on the device home.
Step 9. Select the application icon of your choice from the iPhone home
Check the button next to the iMessage message colors you want to use. There are several colors that can be associated with both outgoing and incoming messages.
