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How to Change Background Color on Instagram Story (2026)

Last Updated on February 26, 2026 by Himanshu Rawat

Feeling a little uninspired by the standard Instagram Story background? You’re not alone. Over 500 million users engage with Instagram Stories every day, and with so much content flooding the platform, standing out visually is more important than ever. But fear not, creative storytellers. This guide will show you how to change the background color on Instagram Stories in just four easy ways.

From tinting and background stickers to the splashes of colors that give a vivid backdrop, we will try every option, even dipping into some more artistic elements. So get ready for some creativity and turn your stories into visually engaging experiences that stand out!

Why should you change the background color on your Instagram Story?

The default Instagram Story background is clean, but it’s also a bit basic. A simple color change can instantly elevate your content and make it stand out.

Here’s why it’s worth it:

• Enhance your aesthetic: The right background sets the mood, highlights your content, and adds visual impact that grabs attention.
• Strengthen brand identity: Using your brand colors consistently makes your stories look polished and professional.
• Improve clarity: Different background colors can help separate segments and make longer stories easier to follow.
• Show creativity: Colors, gradients, or patterns let you express your personality and stand out from the crowd.

A small change like customizing your background can make your Stories more engaging and visually memorable.

How to Change Background Color on Instagram Stories Using Solid Color

Now, let’s consider the first technique of transforming your Story background—the classic Solid Color! A very simple approach that will open up a clean canvas, offering a lot of room for creativity. To be sure, here’s how you get that Solid Color background:

Step 1: Open Instagram Stories

Open Instagram and tap the “+” icon at the bottom of your screen. Select “Story.”

Step 2: Add a Photo or Video

Take a new photo/video or choose one from your camera roll.

Step 3: Open the Draw Tool

Tap the three dots (… ) in the top-right corner of the screen and select “Draw.”

Step 4: Select the Solid Pen Tool

From the drawing tools at the top, choose the pen icon (the solid marker tool).

Step 5: Choose Your Color

Pick a color from the palette at the bottom of the screen.

You can also use the eyedropper tool to select a color directly from your photo or video.

Step 6: Apply the Solid Color Background

Press and hold your finger in the center of the screen for a few seconds.
The entire screen will fill with your selected color, covering your image or video.

Step 7: Reveal Parts of Your Image (Optional Creative Effect)

Tap the eraser tool.

Adjust the brush size using the slider on the left side.
Swipe your finger across the screen to erase parts of the color overlay and reveal the image underneath — like scratching a lottery ticket.

Step 8: Undo If Needed

If you make a mistake, tap the Undo button at the top of the screen.

Bonus Tip: Color backgrounds can be changed to match your mood or theme.  We shall play with other creative ways to set a background in the next section.

How to Change Background Color on Instagram Stories Using Gradient Color

Ready to step it up from the flat look to something way more vibrant in the blend? Enter gradient backgrounds, providing an amazingly beautiful blend of two colors. Here is how you can create a gradient-based masterwork:

Step 1: Open Instagram Stories

Open Instagram and tap the “+” icon at the bottom of your screen. Select “Story.”

Step 2: Go to Create Mode

On the left side of the screen, tap the “Aa” (Create) icon to enter text mode.

Step 3: Choose a Gradient Background

At the bottom right of the screen, tap the color circle to browse through different gradient background options.

Keep tapping until you find the gradient combination you like.

Step 4: Add a Photo (Optional)

If you want to add an image on top of the gradient:

• Tap the Stickers icon at the top of the screen.
• Select the “Photo” sticker (gallery icon) to upload a picture from your camera roll.

Step 5: Adjust Your Image

Resize and reposition the image as desired to match your design.

Step 6: Share Your Story

Once you’re happy with the look, tap “Your Story” to share it.

Bonus Tip: Once you find the perfect blend, you can add other elements like stickers, text, or images to complete your story! We’ll cover more creative background options next.

How to change background color on Instagram stories : Use Photo as background

Want to add a personal touch or a specific setting to your story? Here’s how to incorporate photos as backgrounds:

1. Open Instagram and access the Stories creation screen. (We covered all this in previous sections, so you can skip if you are already there!)
2. Choose a photo for your background. This can be anything from a scenic landscape to a fun pattern. So, Open your camera roll and choose the photo you’re going to use as a background.
3. Tap the “Sticker” icon at the top of the screen. This opens the sticker tray.
4. Search for “Photo” or tap the photo sticker icon. This might look like a picture frame icon.
5. Choose your photo from your camera roll. This will add the photo as a sticker element on your story.
6. Resize and position the photo. Use your fingers to pinch and drag the photo to adjust its size and placement on the screen.
7. (Optional) Add your content. Once you’ve positioned the photo, you can add text, stickers, or drawings on top to complete your story.

Bonus Tip: Experiment with different photos and explore how they impact the overall look and feel of your story! The next section will explore color tint for even more creative background options.

How to change background color on Instagram stories : Adding a Color Tint

Want to subtly enhance your story’s background without completely overwhelming it? Here’s how to add a color tint:

• Open Instagram and access the Stories creation screen. (You’re a pro at this by now, so feel free to skip if necessary!)
• Choose a photo or video for your story, or select an existing one from the camera roll.
• Tap the three dots “…” in the top right corner of the screen.

• Select “Draw” from the menu that appears.
• Tap the brush icon at the top of the screen.

• Select your desired color. Instagram offers a default color palette, but you can also tap and hold on any color to access a wider spectrum using the color picker.
• Tap and hold in the center of the screen. 
• Tap and hold a second time to make the color denser
• Tap and hold the  third time to make the solid color.

Repeat for a stronger tint (Optional): If you want a more pronounced tint, you can carefully tap and hold again on the screen. However, be mindful – too much tint can obscure your content.

Add a Contextual Background Using Meta AI (Instagram Story)

This feature helps create an imaginative AI-generated background that matches the vibe of the post you’re reposting.

Step 1. Open Instagram and find the post (meme, inspiration, or any post) you want to share.

Step 2. Tap the Share (paper plane) icon below the post.

Step 3. Select “Add to Story.”

Step 4. On the Story screen, tap the “Contextual Background” option.

Step 5. Instagram’s Meta AI will automatically generate a background based on the context of the post you’re sharing.

Step 6. Adjust the placement of the post if needed.

Step 7. Tap “Your Story” to share it.

This feature helps create an imaginative AI-generated background that matches the vibe of the post you’re reposting.

Final Thoughts

Now you know how to change your Instagram Story backgrounds using solid colors, vibrant gradients, photos, and tints—simple ways to add color and personality to your stories. With these tools, you can create eye-catching content that grabs attention.

Don’t hesitate to experiment—mix and match ideas, and let your creativity flow! The best background depends on your story’s theme, so play around and see what works for you and your audience. Happy storytelling!

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