Yes. Color presets, glass effects and up to five custom image uploads are free. Pro adds unlimited uploads, fonts and saved presets.

How to Change Your Google Gemini Background & Theme

Q: Can you change the background in Google Gemini?

Gemini has no built-in background setting, but a browser extension such as Chroma AI lets you set any image, GIF or color theme as your Gemini background.

Q: Does it work with Gemini dark mode?

Yes. Your theme layers over Gemini in both light and dark mode, and you can fine-tune opacity and color overlay to match either one.

Updated: July 28, 2026 · 2-minute read

Google Gemini doesn't include a background or theme setting — you get light mode, dark mode, and that's it. This guide shows how to set any image, GIF or color theme as your Gemini background in about two minutes, while keeping the text perfectly readable.

Quick answer: Install the free Chroma AI Chrome extension, open gemini.google.com, click the Chroma AI icon, then upload an image or pick a preset.

Step 1 — Install the extension

Add Chroma AI from the Chrome Web Store, then pin it via the puzzle-piece icon in Chrome's toolbar.

Step 2 — Open Gemini and launch the sidebar

Visit gemini.google.com and click the pinned icon. The editor sidebar slides in from the right. Everything runs locally in your browser — your conversations are never read or transmitted.

Google Gemini with a custom background applied by Chroma AI

Step 3 — Set your background

Your own image or GIF — open Media Background and drag & drop a photo, wallpaper or animated GIF. It becomes your Gemini background instantly.
A color preset — pick from 12 free themes (Midnight, Aurora, Sunset, Ocean, Neon, Forest and more). Background, accent and text colors change together.
A community theme — browse the Theme Gallery and apply someone else's design in one click.

Step 4 — Keep Gemini readable

Gemini's interface is bright and text-heavy, so the glass layer matters here. Tune these until it feels right:

Blur — softens the wallpaper behind the chat panel.
Opacity — how strongly the background shows through.
Color overlay — a tint that unifies Gemini's panels with your image.

Your theme works in both Gemini light mode and dark mode. You can also resize, zoom and reposition the image so it frames exactly the way you want — and it re-fits automatically when you resize the window.

Frequently asked questions

Q. Can you change the background in Google Gemini?

Not natively — Gemini has no background setting. A browser extension like Chroma AI adds custom backgrounds, colors and effects.

Q. Does it work with Gemini dark mode?

Yes. Your theme layers over both light and dark mode, and opacity/overlay let you match either one.

Q. Do my ChatGPT and Gemini themes stay separate?

Yes. Each platform keeps its own saved look, so you can run a calm theme on Gemini and something bolder on ChatGPT.

Give Gemini a background

Free Chrome extension — set it up in under two minutes.

Add to Chrome — Free