The social network VKontakte has long ceased to be just a messenger for exchanging text messages, having turned into a platform for self-expression. One of the popular ways to personalize your profile and chats is to change the background of the correspondence. This allows you to make communication more comfortable or, conversely, more businesslike, depending on your preferences. On devices running Android this process is implemented quite flexibly, allowing you to control the design both for all dialogs at once and for a specific interlocutor.
In this article we will analyze in detail the algorithm of actions required to change the wallpaper in chats. You will learn where the necessary settings are hidden in the current version of the mobile application, what restrictions exist on the size and format of uploaded images, and how to avoid common mistakes when saving changes. The instructions are universal and suitable for most modern smartphones, including models from Samsung, Xiaomi and Realme.
It is worth noting that the social network interface is periodically updated, and the location of some elements may change slightly. However, the basic navigation logic remains the same: design settings are always located either in the general profile menu or directly inside the dialog window. We will look at both options so that you can choose the most convenient customization method.
Global background settings for all dialogs
If you want to set a single style for all correspondence without entering each chat separately, you will need to use the general application settings. This solution is ideal for those who prefer minimalism or want to set a specific color scheme for the entire interface. The changes will apply to all new and existing dialogs where a custom theme is not installed.
To begin, open the application VK on your smartphone and go to the Services or Profiletab, depending on the interface version. In the upper right corner of the screen you will see an icon in the form of three horizontal stripes or a gear - this is the entrance to the main menu. Click on it to expand the list of available options.
In the list that opens, find the item Settings and tap on it. Next, scroll down the page to the Generalsection. This is where the settings that control the appearance of the application are concentrated, including the theme (light, dark, night) and background image. Select item Message backgroundto proceed to selecting a picture.
The system will offer you several preset options: from solid colors to abstract patterns. You can select any of them by simply clicking on the thumbnail. If the standard set does not suit you, press the button Download or the plus icon to select a photo from the gallery of your device. After selecting, the image will automatically be applied to all chats.
- 📱 Go to the main menu of the application through the profile icon.
- ⚙️ Open the section
Settingsand find the item Message background. - 🖼️ Select a ready-made template or upload your image from the gallery.
- ✅ Confirm the change by pressing the button
DoneorSave.
Individual background settings for a specific interlocutor
Often a situation arises when you want to highlight correspondence with a specific person or chat. For example, set a photo of your partner in the background of romantic correspondence or a company logo in a work chat. The functionality VK allows you to do this without changing general settings, creating a unique atmosphere for each dialogue.
To change the background for a specific person, open the desired dialogue in the message list. Click on the person you're talking to or the name of the group at the top of the screen. This action will open the chat information page, where notification settings, message search and, of course, design are available.
Find the item Dialog background or brush/palette icon in the section menu. Clicking this item will take you to the same image selection interface as the global setting. However, here the changes will affect only current correspondence. You can upload a unique photo that will be displayed only when communicating with this user.
It is important to understand that individual settings take precedence over global ones. That is, if you set a common background for everyone, and chose a different picture for one contact, then the individual image will be displayed in correspondence with him. This provides ample opportunities for sorting chats visually.
⚠️ Attention: The individual background is reset when the dialogue is deleted. If you clear the entire conversation history, the design settings for this contact will return to the global defaults.
☑️ Check before setting the background
Requirements for images and technical parameters
The quality of the background display directly depends on the characteristics of the downloaded file. Images that are too heavy can take a long time to load, and low-resolution images will appear blurry on modern smartphone screens with high pixel density. Understanding the technical requirements will help you avoid artifacts and “soap” in the background.
The optimal format for downloading is JPEG or PNG. The PNG format is preferable for images with text or clear geometric lines, as it does not create compression artifacts. JPEG is better for photos due to its smaller file size while maintaining acceptable quality.
The image resolution should match or exceed the resolution of your smartphone screen. For most modern devices, the current standard is 1080×2400 pixels. If you upload a smaller image, the system will stretch it, which will lead to loss of clarity. Files that are too large (for example, with a 4K resolution) will be automatically compressed by the social network's algorithms.
How to crop a photo to fit the screen format?
If your photo has a horizontal orientation, when installed on the background it will be cropped at the edges. It is recommended to prepare a vertical frame in advance using the built-in gallery editor or third-party applications like Snapseed, choosing an aspect ratio of 9:16.
The color scheme also plays an important role. Because the message text is overlaid on top of the background, the image should not be too colorful in the area where the text bubbles are located. Otherwise, reading the correspondence will become difficult. Dark tones are usually perceived better, especially when used at night.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Acceptable range | Impact on operation |
|---|---|---|---|
| File format | JPEG / PNG | JPG, PNG, WEBP | Compression quality and transparency |
| Resolution | 1080×2400 px | 720p to 4K | Screen image clarity |
| File size | < 5 MB | up to 20 MB | Background loading speed |
| Orientation | Portrait (vertical) | Any | Correct cropping without cropping |
Using themes and night mode
In addition to uploading your own images, the application VK offers the use of built-in themes. These themes often include not only a background, but also a special color scheme for interface elements, message bubbles, and icons. This allows you to create a holistic visual style.
Particular attention should be paid Night mode. When activated, the background of messages automatically changes to dark, which reduces eye strain in low-light conditions. Many users prefer to use dark themes all the time, as it also saves battery power on smartphones with AMOLEDscreens.
Switching between themes is carried out in the same menu Settings → General → Theme. Here you can select the option Automaticso that the application itself switches the design depending on the time of day or Android system settings. This is the most convenient option for those who use the phone at different times of the day.
For maximum energy savings on OLED screens, choose the Amoled theme or set the background to completely black (color code #000000). In this case, the screen pixels are physically turned off without consuming energy.
Some themes may only be available to service subscribers VK Combo or beta test participants. If you do not see the desired theme in the list, check for application updates in Google Play or RuStore. Developers regularly add new design options as part of seasonal updates.
Possible problems and solutions
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users sometimes encounter difficulties when changing the background. Most often the problem is that the image does not load or displays incorrectly. This may be due to problems with the Internet connection, the application cache, or an outdated version of the software.
If the download button is inactive or displays an error, check whether there is free space in the smartphone memory. The application requires temporary space to process and save the image. Also make sure that you have permission to access file storage in Android settings. VK There is permission to access file storage in Android settings.
If the background is applied but looks blurry or stretched, try using the crop function that appears after selecting a photo. Move the selection frame to select the best part of the image. Do not ignore this step, as automatic centering does not always work correctly.
⚠️ Attention: If after updating the application all background settings are reset to default, do not panic. This is a known feature of some major updates. You will need to reselect images from the gallery as links to temporary files may have been lost.
The main cause of background loading errors is an unstable Internet connection or a full application cache. Clearing the cache in the Android settings often solves the problem instantly.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to set a video instead of a picture as the background?
At the moment, the official application VK for Android does not support the installation of animated wallpapers or video files as the background of messages. Only static images are available. However, some third-party clients may have such a function, but their use is not recommended for account security reasons.
Will the other person see my chat background?
No, the message background settings are local and visible only to you. The interlocutor sees the standard background or the one he installed on his device. You can safely place any images without worrying that someone will see them.
Why did the background turn black after installing the photo?
This can happen if the image has a transparent layer (PNG format with an alpha channel), which was processed incorrectly by the system. Try converting the image to JPEG or selecting a different file. Also check if you have activated the energy saving mode, which can force you to change themes.
How to return the standard background if you are tired of the picture?
Go to the background settings (general or for a specific dialog) and select the first item in the list of templates - usually this is a gray gradient or solid color, which is the default value. The button Reset may be absent explicitly, so just cover the custom photo with a standard one.
Does a complex background affect the speed of the application?
There is no significant impact on the speed of operation. Modern smartphone processors easily cope with rendering static images. However, using a very high resolution photo (more than 20 MB) may slightly increase the initial rendering time of the chat when you first open it.