How to Add Backgrounds in Messages on iPhone

How to Add Backgrounds in Messages on iPhone

Apple now lets you place colorful or themed backgrounds behind entire conversation threads in iOS. It is a simple way to highlight a point, add energy to a conversation, or help readers follow key updates.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

November 20, 2025

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Every group chat eventually reaches that moment when the important information disappears into the noise. 

Apple introduced a subtle but useful Messages upgrade that solves this problem by letting you add backgrounds behind your messages. 

It feels like a small tweak, yet it changes readability and adds style in a way that standard text bubbles never could.

Snipping Tool Quick Markup: Faster Screenshots, Smarter Notes

Snipping Tool Quick Markup: Faster Screenshots, Smarter Notes

Take a screenshot, add instant markup, and share without leaving the Snipping Tool.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

November 19, 2025

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How many times have you captured a screenshot only to fumble with another app just to circle a detail or add a quick note? 

That extra step slows down productivity. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Quick Markup in Windows 11 Snipping Tool.

Microsoft’s Snipping Tool now includes Quick Markup, a built-in editing layer that lets you annotate screenshots immediately. 

It’s a small change with outsized impact for business users, educators, and anyone who shares visuals daily.

Feature Explanation

Quick Markup integrates lightweight drawing and text tools directly into the Snipping Tool. 

After you capture a screenshot, you can highlight, underline, or add arrows without exporting to Paint or another editor. 

This matters because it reduces friction: fewer clicks, faster communication, and no need to juggle apps. 

What You’ll Gain

• Highlight key details in seconds.
• Add context with arrows or text.
• Share annotated screenshots instantly.
• Reduce workflow interruptions.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

Windows 11 Desktop

1. Press Win + Shift + S to open Snipping Tool.
2. Click the "Quick Markup" button on the top toolbar before you make your selection.
3. Capture your desired area.
4. Use the markup tools:

• Pen and Highlighter: Draw and highlight on the screen. You can change colors and thickness.
• Eraser: Remove parts of your markup.
• Shapes: Add shapes like rectangles and arrows.
• Undo: Undo your last action.
• Capture and save: Click the "Capture" button to finish and take the snip, or continue marking up.

fig. 1 - Use the New Quick Markup Tool in Windows Snipping Tool

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Integrated workflow, no extra apps
• Lightweight tools for quick edits
• Ideal for business and classroom communication

Cons:

• Limited compared to full editors like Paint
• Rollout still in preview, not universal
• Advanced features (layers, shapes) missing

Configuration Guide

Quick Markup is enabled by default in the updated Snipping Tool. 

Feature Access

This feature is currently rolling out to all Windows 11 versions.

Score

Criterion  |  Score (0–10)  |  Justification

Value 9

Saves time and reduces app switching.

Usability 8

Simple tools, but limited compared to full editors.

Wow Factor 7

Useful, though not groundbreaking.

Total: 24/30 👍 18–24 Good 

A practical upgrade, comparable to Apple’s built-in screenshot markup but now native to Windows.

Key Takeaways

Quick Markup makes screenshots actionable without leaving Snipping Tool. 

It’s efficient, intuitive, and rolling out now. 

For everyday communication, this feature trims minutes off repetitive tasks.

Cool Tip Snapshot

• Feature Name: Quick Markup
• Platform(s): Windows 11
• Quick Benefit: Annotate screenshots instantly
• Access Type: Free, currently rolling out

Try It Yourself

Capture a screenshot today and test Quick Markup. 

Share your annotated screenshot with a colleague or friend, then subscribe to the One Cool Tip newsletter and spread the word.

READ MORE

• New “Save as Project” in Windows 11 Paint
  
• Windows 11’s Task Manager Bug Is Slowing You Down - Here’s the Fix
  
• Notepad Remembers Now

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🖊️ Save Time with Snipping Tool’s New Feature! - OCT Newsletter 11-19-2025

 🖊️ Save Time with Snipping Tool’s New Feature! - OCT Newsletter 11-19-2025

Discover how the Snipping Tool's Quick Markup feature can revolutionize your screenshot game! 

This upgrade allows users to annotate images directly, enhancing productivity without switching apps. 

•  Scam Action Plan.
•  Google Debuts Gemini 3.
•  AI Holiday Prompt.
•  Cool Microsoft Copilot AI Prompt: Thanksgiving Dinner Menu.
•  Snipping Tool Quick Markup.
•  Capture Video in Windows.
•  Record Audio in Screen Recordings.
•  Find Your Saved Screenshots.

Stay ahead of the curve with our daily tech tips. 

Click HERE for the Newsletter

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Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.

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Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

 

#TechSavvy #Windows11 #Productivity #QuickMarkup 

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Cool Deals - November 19, 2025

Cool Deals - November 19, 2025

Help support One Cool Tip. Use this Amazon link when you shop online. Look at these Cool Products:

Microsoft Surface Pen: Precision markup tool. $34.99 Check it out on Amazon!  Logitech MX Master 3S Mouse: Customizable shortcuts for screenshots. Save 17% $99.99 Check it out on Amazon!  Dell 27 Plus 4K Monitor: Crisp visuals for markup clarity. Save 23% $229.99 Check it out on Amazon!

 

Read the Cool Tip: Snipping Tool Quick Markup: Faster Screenshots, Smarter Notes

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Stop Typing What Chrome Can Autofill for You

Stop Typing What Chrome Can Autofill for You

Chrome’s new enhanced autofill now handles passports, driver’s licenses, and vehicle information across your devices. It saves time, improves accuracy, and removes the pain of hunting for documents when you need them most.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

November 18, 2025

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Have you ever tried to check in for a flight, renew a license plate, or verify your identity on a secure form only to realize your passport or driver’s license is across the house? 

Many times we enter the same strings of numbers again and again. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Let Chrome Autofill For You.

Chrome’s new enhanced autofill feature changes that pattern by securely storing and filling sensitive ID data across Windows, iOS, Android, and the web.

❓Which Microsoft Copilot Are You Really Using? - OCT Newsletter 11-17-2025

 ❓ Which Microsoft Copilot Are You Really Using? - OCT Newsletter 11-17-2025

In the latest Back-To-Work edition of the One Cool Tip Newsletter, we dive deep into the world of Microsoft 365 Copilot vs. Microsoft Copilot. 

Understanding the distinction between these two AI assistants can greatly enhance your productivity and clarity in your workflow. 

From document management in Microsoft 365 to general assistance across Windows and Edge, we've got you covered. 

🚨 DoorDash Cybersecurity Incident.

🤖 AI Toys May Pose Hidden Risks.

🐸 Toy Story 5’s Villain Is a Tablet.

🚀 Make It a Great Week!

🖼️ Cool Microsoft Copilot AI Prompt of the Day.

💡 Microsoft 365 Copilot vs Microsoft Copilot.

👀 How Do I Use Microsoft 365 in PowerPoint? 

🤔 Use Copilot in Microsoft Edge.

🙋‍♂️ Clean Data with Copilot in Excel.

Don't miss out on our expert tips and the latest tech news! 

Click HERE for the Newsletter

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Explore More

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Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.

One Cool Tip

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#Windows11 #Microsoft365 #AI #Productivity 

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Microsoft 365 Copilot vs Microsoft Copilot: What’s the Difference?

Microsoft 365 Copilot vs Microsoft Copilot: What’s the Difference?

Two Copilots, one name, and a lot of confusion. Here’s how to tell them apart and why it matters for your workflow.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

November 17, 2025

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If you’ve ever asked, “Wait, which Copilot am I using?” you’re not alone. 

Microsoft has launched multiple AI-powered assistants under the “Copilot” brand, and while they share a name, they serve very different roles. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Microsoft 365 Copilot is inside Microsoft 365 apps.

Whether you're a business user, educator, or productivity enthusiast, understanding the difference between Microsoft 365 Copilot and Microsoft Copilot can save you time and headaches.

Let AI Help You Write in WhatsApp

Let AI Help You Write in WhatsApp

WhatsApp just added a smarter way to refine your messages before you send them. Pick your tone, preview the rewrite, and send something that sounds clearer and more intentional.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

November 16, 2025

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Have you ever hit "send" on a message only to instantly regret the tone? 

Perhaps you meant to sound encouraging, but it came across as demanding. 

Maybe you drafted a professional update that read like a casual chat. 

In today’s fast-paced digital communication, getting the tone right is critical, especially when sending work or business-related messages on platforms like WhatsApp. 

An unintended nuance can derail a deal or create unnecessary friction with a coworker or client. 

This is a common and frustrating problem. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Let AI rewrite your WhatsApp Messages.

Fortunately, WhatsApp now offers a smart solution built right into the composition window.

Real-Time Scareware Protection Expands in Microsoft Edge

Real-Time Scareware Protection Expands in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft is rolling out a powerful real-time scareware and support scam protection in Edge, making one of the internet’s most persistent threats a thing of the past for a wider audience. This expanded feature significantly enhances online safety by blocking deceptive websites before they can even load their malicious messages.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor
November 15, 2025

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Have you ever been interrupted by a frantic, blinking pop-up warning that your computer has a critical virus, demanding you call a “support hotline” immediately? 

This classic digital ambush, known as scareware or a tech support scam, plays on fear to trick you into downloading malware or paying hundreds of dollars to a criminal. 

The threat is not abstract; these scams cost consumers and businesses billions annually. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the New Microsoft Edge Browser with its built-in Scareware Blocker.

We first told you about the Microsoft Edge Scareware Blocker earlier this year.

But now Microsoft is fighting back by expanding a critical, proactive security feature in its Edge browser. 

Edge’s real-time protection against scareware is now rolling out to protect a much broader set of users, acting as a digital bouncer that blocks the scammer’s door before they can start their pitch.

Take a Drive on Route 66 With Google Arts and Culture

Take a Drive on Route 66 With Google Arts and Culture

Explore Route 66 in a new way with Google Arts and Culture. This interactive experience lets you tour landmarks, browse history, and plan a future trip across America’s Mother Road without leaving your screen.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

November 14, 2025

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Route 66 has inspired travelers for nearly a century, yet most people have only seen fragments of it. 

What if you could explore the entire road with vivid detail from your phone or laptop? 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Drive on Route 66 With Google Arts and Culture.

Google Arts and Culture gives you that chance with a curated, interactive project that pulls together stories, photos, and locations along the historic highway.

This digital experience turns an iconic American drive into something anyone can explore at home, at school, or on the road.