The quickest way to change your story background

Open Instagram and tap the camera icon or swipe left from your feed to start a new story. Take a photo or video, or tap the blank canvas option at the bottom to start with no image. Once you're in the editing screen, look for the marker or pen icon in the toolbar at the bottom. Tap and hold on the color you want — a palette will appear. Then tap the paint bucket icon (or swipe up to see more tools) and tap your screen to fill the entire background with that color.

If you don't see a paint bucket tool, you're using an older version of the app. Update Instagram from your device's app store first. The background color fill feature works on both iPhone and Android, though the exact placement of buttons can vary slightly between versions.

Key Takeaways

  • Start a new story, then use the marker tool to select a color and find the paint bucket icon to fill your entire background.
  • You can choose from Instagram's preset color palette or create a custom color by tapping and holding on any color swatch.
  • A solid background color works best when you plan to add text, stickers, or other elements on top.
  • If the paint bucket option doesn't appear, update your Instagram app to the latest version available.

Using the color palette and custom colors

When you tap and hold on any color in the palette, Instagram shows you a larger color picker. You can slide your finger across this picker to find the exact shade you want — lighter or darker versions of the same color family. Release your finger when you've found the shade that works for you.

Once you've selected your color, tap the paint bucket icon and then tap anywhere on your story canvas to apply it as the background. The entire background will fill with that single color. If you want to change it, simply select a different color and tap the paint bucket again — it will replace the previous background.

Adding text and elements over a solid background

A solid color background is useful when you want text to stand out clearly. After you've filled your background, tap the "Aa" text icon to add words. The text will appear in a default color, but you can tap it and change the font, size, and color to match your story's theme.

You can also add stickers, emojis, or drawings on top of your solid background. Each element can be moved, resized, or deleted independently. The background color stays in place while you layer other content on top of it.

Gradient and multi-color backgrounds

If you want more than one color, you can create a gradient effect by using the marker tool to draw across your canvas before filling it. Draw a line or shape with one color, then draw over it with a different color. The colors will blend where they overlap, creating a gradient-like effect.

Alternatively, you can fill your background with one color, then use the marker tool to add strokes or sections of other colors on top. This gives you more control over where each color appears. Experiment with different combinations to find a look that works for your story.

Troubleshooting when the paint bucket won't work

If tapping the paint bucket icon doesn't fill your background, check whether you've already added an image or video to your story. The paint bucket tool works on blank canvases or over existing images, but the behavior can differ. If you've uploaded a photo, the paint bucket may only fill transparent areas rather than covering the entire image.

If you want a solid color background instead of a photo, start over by tapping the blank canvas option rather than uploading an image first. Then select your color and use the paint bucket. If the tool still doesn't appear, close the app completely and reopen it, or restart your phone. Clearing the app cache (in your phone's settings) can also resolve display issues.

Saving and reusing background colors

Instagram doesn't have a built-in way to save specific colors you create for later use. However, you can take a screenshot of a story with a background color you like, then use that screenshot as a reference when you're creating future stories. Open the color picker and try to match the shade you saved.

If you use the same color frequently, consider writing down the approximate position in the color picker where you found it — for example, "top left area of the palette" or "middle of the blue section." This makes it faster to find the same color next time without having to recreate it from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photo as my background instead of a solid color?

Yes. Upload a photo or video to your story first, then use the marker tool and paint bucket to add color overlays on top of it. You can also adjust the opacity of the color to make the photo show through partially, creating a tinted effect rather than a solid background.

Why does my background color look different on other people's phones?

Display settings vary between devices. A color that looks bright on your phone might appear slightly different on someone else's screen due to screen brightness, color calibration, and device type. This is normal and not something you can control from within the app.

Can I change the background color after I've posted my story?

No. Once you post a story, you cannot edit the background color. You would need to delete the story and create a new one with the color you want. Stories disappear after 24 hours anyway, so you can always post a new version with a different background the next day.

Does the paint bucket tool work on videos as well as photos?

Yes, but the result depends on what's in your video. If your video has a solid background area, the paint bucket will fill that area. If your video is full of movement or detail, the paint bucket may not work as expected. For best results, use it on videos with simple, uniform backgrounds.