WhatsApp New Features: You Might Soon Be Able To Pick Chat Bubble Theme On Android

WABetaInfo has uncovered a new feature in the WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.17.19, which introduces the ability to set a default chat theme within the messaging app.

WhatsApp is working to enhance its overall user experience and the instant messaging platform is now apparently working on a new feature which will allow users to select colour options for the wallpaper along with the ones for the chat bubbles where one sees his/her messages in the app. According to reports, this feature has been spotted in development on the latest beta version of WhatsApp for Android, a few months. Notably, the same feature had been spotted in WhatsApp beta for iOS.

WhatsApp New Features: Chat Theme Picker

WABetaInfo has uncovered a new feature in the WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.17.19, which introduces the ability to set a default chat theme within the messaging app. This feature is currently under development, meaning users on the latest beta version cannot yet try it out.

A screenshot provided by WABetaInfo reveals a new "Chat theme" setting within WhatsApp, which allows users to alter both the colour of chat bubbles and the wallpaper by selecting a theme. Earlier this year, the ability to change chat bubble colours was first noticed on iOS, along with a theme selector.

Although the screenshot doesn’t display any available themes—likely because they are still being developed—it does show options for customizing the mentioned elements. Users will be able to modify their chat theme by tapping on "Message colour" and "Wallpaper."

WhatsApp New Features: How Does Chat Theme Picker Work

According to WABetaInfo, selecting a theme preset or customising the chat bubble color and wallpaper in the new "Chat theme" menu will apply the chosen theme to all chats by default. It's possible, though not confirmed, that users may eventually have the option to customize themes on a per-chat basis after setting a default theme.

Unlike chat themes on Facebook Messenger and Instagram, where the theme is visible to all participants in a conversation, WhatsApp's selected wallpaper and chat bubble colors will only appear on the user’s device. Given WhatsApp's consistent feature offerings across mobile and desktop apps, it is anticipated that these themes will eventually be available on both iOS and WhatsApp's desktop applications as well.