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. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a row of colored circles — tap any color to fill your entire story with that background. If you want a different shade than what's shown, swipe left or right through the color options to reveal more choices. That's the fastest method and works on both iPhone and Android.

If the preset colors don't match what you're looking for, you can also use a photo or video as your background. Tap the gallery icon at the bottom left, select an image from your phone, and it becomes your story background. You can then add text, stickers, or drawings on top of it.

Key Takeaways

  • Tap the colored circles at the bottom of the story camera to instantly fill your background with a solid color.
  • Swipe left or right through the color row to access more color options beyond the initial display.
  • Use the gallery icon to select a photo or video from your phone as a custom background instead of a solid color.
  • You can layer text, stickers, and drawings over any background color or image you choose.

Accessing the full color palette

The color circles at the bottom of your story camera show only a few options at first. To see the complete palette, swipe left across those circles. You'll find pastels, bright colors, dark shades, and gradients — far more than what appears initially. Each swipe reveals a new set of colors, so keep swiping until you find the exact shade you want.

On some versions of Instagram, you can also long-press on a color circle to see a larger preview of that color before you commit to it. This helps if you're trying to match a specific tone or decide between similar shades.

Using gradient and pattern backgrounds

Beyond solid colors, Instagram offers gradient backgrounds that blend two or more colors together. These appear in the color palette when you swipe through the options — they're usually grouped together and look like smooth color transitions. Tap any gradient to apply it to your entire story background.

Some accounts also see pattern or texture options depending on your Instagram version and region. These work the same way: tap to apply, and your story fills with that pattern. If you don't see patterns in your color palette, your version of Instagram may not include them yet.

Adding text and elements over your background

Once you've set your background color, tap the text icon (usually marked with an "A") to add words to your story. Type your message, and it will appear on top of your colored background. You can change the text color, size, and font by tapping options that appear after you've typed.

You can also add stickers, emojis, or drawings over your background. Tap the sticker icon to browse Instagram's sticker library, or use the drawing tool to create your own marks. All of these elements layer on top of whatever background color or image you've chosen, so you can build a complete story design.

Changing your background after you've started

If you've already added text or stickers and then decide you want a different background color, you don't have to start over. Simply tap the background area (an empty part of your story with no text or stickers), and the color palette will reappear. Tap a new color, and your background changes while keeping all your text and stickers in place.

This works as long as you haven't posted the story yet. Once you've shared it to your story, you can only edit it by deleting and reposting, or by using the "Edit Story" feature if Instagram has made that available in your region.

Why your color options might look different

Instagram updates its features regularly, and not all accounts see the same options at the same time. Your color palette might include different shades, gradients, or patterns than what someone else sees. This is normal and depends on your Instagram version, your phone's operating system, and your region.

If you're missing color options you've seen before, try updating the Instagram app from your phone's app store. Older versions sometimes have fewer background choices. If you're still not seeing the colors you expect after updating, your account may simply not have access to that feature yet — Instagram rolls out new options gradually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a custom color that's not in the preset palette?

Not directly from the color circles. However, you can upload a photo from your phone that's a solid color, or use a screenshot of any color you want. This gives you more control over the exact shade, though it's more steps than tapping a preset color.

What if the background color I want isn't showing up?

Swipe left through the color palette — there are usually many more options than what appears on first view. If you still don't find it, try updating your Instagram app. Older versions have fewer color choices, and updating often reveals new options.

Does changing the background color affect how my story looks to other people?

No. Everyone who views your story sees the same background color you chose. The color displays the same way on their phone as it does on yours, so there's no variation in how it appears to your audience.

Can I use a video as my story background instead of a color?

Yes. Tap the gallery icon at the bottom of the story camera, select a video from your phone, and it becomes your background. You can then add text and stickers on top of the video just like you would with a color or photo background.