WhatsApp is in the process of introducing a new feature aimed at enhancing personalization within the messaging platform. This feature will enable users to choose from various color options for chat backgrounds and the bubbles that display messages. Recently observed in the beta version for Android, this update follows its earlier discovery on iOS several months ago, suggesting a broader rollout is on the horizon.
A new setting has been identified in the beta version 2.24.17.19 of WhatsApp for Android, allowing users to establish a default chat theme. Since this feature is still being developed, those who have access to the latest beta release cannot yet try it out.
A screenshot from a reliable feature tracking source has shown a new option under Chat theme settings. This setting indicates that choosing one of the themes will change both the appearance of the message bubbles and the wallpaper within the app. The ability for users to adjust chat bubble colors was first noted on iOS earlier this year, alongside the theme selection function.
The leaked image provided does not showcase any themes, likely because they are still under creation. Nonetheless, it presents two options for users wishing to personalize both elements by tapping on Message color and Wallpaper to design their ideal chat theme.
When a user selects a particular theme preset or opts for a specific chat bubble color and wallpaper from the new Chat theme menu, it will generally apply this customization across all chats. While it remains uncertain if individual chat themes can also be assigned after a default theme is set, this is a possibility.
Unlike theme applications on platforms such as Facebook Messenger and Instagram, where the theme is shared among all participants in a chat, WhatsApp will only reflect the chosen wallpaper and bubble color on the user's device. Considering WhatsApp typically maintains similar features across both mobile and desktop versions, these themes are likely to expand to iOS devices and desktop applications soon.