How to change the background of VK messages on Android: all methods with pictures

The background of chats in VKontakte is the first detail that see your interlocutors when opening a dialogue. The standard white or gray color quickly gets boring, especially if you spend hours on the messenger every day. Fortunately, the Androidversion of the application offers several ways to personalize the background - from official settings to hidden functions that few people know about.

In this article we will examine all current methods for changing the background in VK on smartphones in 2026including bypassing restrictions for older versions of the application. You'll learn how to set your own image, use animated themes, return the default background, and even create a unique gradient. And also why some methods may not work on certain devices and how to fix it.

Why there is no “Change background” button in VK and what to do about it

Many users are faced with a situation where there is simply no option to change the background in the chat settings. There are several reasons:

• 📱 Outdated version of the application —VK functions are regularly removed and returned. For example, in 2023, the ability to change the background was temporarily disabled for some users.
• 🔄 Account has not been verified — some functions (including premium themes) are available only to verified profiles.
• 🛠️ Technical work —server failures may disable certain interface options.
• 📵 Region restrictions —in some countries, the functionality of VK differs due to local laws.

If there is no button, first update the application via Google Play or official website VK.com. If this does not help, try alternative methods from the following sections.

⚠️ Attention: Some methods require root access or installing modified versions of VK (for example, VK Mods). This may violate the terms of use of the service and lead to account blocking. Use at your own risk.

Official method: how to change the background through the chat settings

The simplest and safest method is to use the built-in VK tools. It works on most devices with Android 8.0+ and the current version of the application (2026).

Instructions:

1. Open the dialog whose background you want to change.
2. Tap on three dots in the upper right corner (menu chat).
3. Select item Change background (or Chat themes in new versions).
4. Scroll down and click Add your background.
5. Select an image from the gallery or take a new photo.
6. Adjust the scale and click Done.

Please note: VK automatically crops pictures for format 9:16 (vertical ratio). If you upload a horizontal photo, it will be stretched or cropped at the edges. For best results, use images with a resolution of at least 1080×1920 pixels.

Use a vertical image (9:16)

Minimum resolution - 1080×1920 px

Avoid small details around the edges (they will be cropped)

Save a copy of the original in case of resetting the settings

Check whether the picture does not violate the rules of VK (no logos, violence, 18+)

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Hidden functions: animated and gradient background themes

In addition to static images, VK offers dynamic background themesthat change color depending on the time of day or contain light animation. These options are often hidden deep in the menu.

How to enable:

1. In the same menu Change background scroll up - there is a tab above your downloaded pictures Themes.
2. Tap on any topic (for example, Space or Sunset) - some of them have animation when scrolling.
3. For gradient backgrounds, select Colored background and set two colors that will smoothly transition into each other.

Secret life hack: If you hold your finger on the screen and pull down on the theme menu, sometimes a hidden section with Seasonal collections (for example, New Year or Halloween backgrounds). These themes are available for a limited time.

Standard (white/gray)

Your photo

Animated themes

Gradient/color background

I change it rarely, it doesn’t matter

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How to return the standard background if you don’t like the new one

If experiments with colors are unsuccessful, you can return the original background in 2 clicks:

1. Open the chat menu (⋮ in the upper right corner).
2. Select Change background → Remove background (or Reset to standard in new versions).

If this item is missing:

• 🔄 Restart the application (close it in the multitasking menu and open it again).
• 📲 Update VK to the latest version - sometimes the reset button disappears due to bugs.
• 🗑️ Delete the application cache via Android Settings → Applications → VK → Memory → Clear cache.

⚠️ Attention: When resetting the background, all user chat settings (including pinned messages and change history) will be preserved. However, if you used VK Mods or unofficial patches, resetting may lead to display errors.

Table: Compatibility of methods with different versions of Android and VK

The data in the table is relevant for VK Android versions 7.2–8.5 (2026). On older versions of the application (up to 6.0), some methods may not work due to changes in the architecture of the messenger.

Advanced methods: changing the background via ADB and root

For advanced users who are ready to dive into technical details, there are ways to change the background even where official settings are not available. These methods require skills in working with Android Debug Bridge (ADB) or root access.

adb shell am start -n com.vk.android/com.vk.core.settings.SettingsActivity
adb shell settings put global vk_chat_background_custom 1
adb shell settings put global vk_chat_background_path "/sdcard/Download/my_background.jpg"

/data/data/com.vk.android/app_chat_backgrounds/

• 🖼️ The background does not change after selection → Clear the VK cache in the Android settings or reinstall the application.
• 🔄 The background is reset after updating → VK sometimes resets user settings when major updates. Save a copy of your background to quickly restore it.
• 📱 On some devices the background is displayed crooked → The problem is typical for smartphones with a non-standard aspect ratio (for example, Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra or Xiaomi Mix Fold). Try using a background with a resolution 1440×3040 px.
• 🚫 It is impossible to install an animated background → On devices with Android Go or a weak processor (for example, Snapdragon 4xx), animation is disabled to save resources.