WhatsApp is developing a new feature aimed at enhancing user personalization by allowing individuals to set a default theme for their chat interface, modifying the color of chat bubbles on their devices. This upcoming option could include a range of color presets and was identified in a beta version of the app for iPhone by a feature tracking platform.
New Default Chat Theme Feature Identified
The latest beta release of WhatsApp for iOS, version 24.11.10.70, is currently being distributed through Apple’s TestFlight testing program. The well-known feature tracker WABetaInfo has discovered a new Default chat theme option that is still in the developmental phase. As of now, this feature cannot be activated, but it is anticipated to be accessible for beta testers soon.
Functionality of the Default Chat Theme Feature
A screenshot shared by WABetaInfo reveals that WhatsApp is integrating a chat theme selector within the app’s settings. Users will have the choice of five different themes, including the default green theme, as well as color options in blue, grey, red, and purple.
Additionally, the leaked screenshot indicates that selecting a chat theme will alter both the color of chat bubbles and the wallpaper, which will feature a themed WhatsApp doodle background for conversations on the user’s phone.
It’s important to note that, unlike Instagram’s customization options, this feature will be limited to the user’s own device. The Default chat theme setting will not change the appearance for both users in a chat, as is possible with Instagram’s per-chat theme settings.
This chat theme selector is expected to be made available to beta testers on iOS in the near future, prior to its wider release in the stable version of the app. Given that many features are aligned across both iOS and Android platforms, it is likely that this capability will also be introduced for WhatsApp users on Android subsequently.
