WhatsApp is currently enhancing its platform by developing support for chat themes, and a recent feature tracker has provided insights into what users can expect upon the feature’s release. The messaging service aims to allow users to customize their chat experience by altering the colors of chat bubbles and backgrounds. Users will have the option to choose from predefined themes or create their own by selecting colors and wallpapers.
Development of WhatsApp Theme Picker for iOS Underway
This month, the feature tracker WABetaInfo uncovered a new theme picker menu in progress in an earlier beta version of WhatsApp for Android. Although that particular version lacked any available themes, the WhatsApp beta for iOS update version 24.17.10.71 showcases previews of various themes.
Upon its eventual deployment, the theme picker will offer users ten theme presets to select from, as reported by the feature tracker. Screenshots indicate the theme picker presents two horizontally scrolling rows; the top row features solid color backgrounds, while the bottom row focuses on landscape art-themed designs. Each theme’s chat bubble color corresponds to the chosen background color.
It should be noted that the theme picker remains unavailable to beta testers, as it is still under development. Thus, even users who have installed the latest iOS beta version of WhatsApp via TestFlight will not have immediate access to this feature. WABetaInfo also mentions that these themes will be visible only to the user who applies them, differing from Instagram and Messenger, which display the same theme to all participants in a chat.
Username and PIN Feature in WhatsApp Beta Version Revealed
WhatsApp is also exploring a new username feature, aimed at facilitating conversations without the necessity of sharing phone numbers. However, this functionality has not yet been made available to beta testers. Recent developments suggest that the company is adding a PIN protection feature that will enhance user privacy following the establishment of a username.
According to WABetaInfo, the recent WhatsApp beta Android update, version 2.24.18.2, includes information about a newly designed “Username PIN” feature. Users will reportedly receive a prompt to create a PIN after they select a unique username on the platform.
This feature is set to allow users to generate a new passcode that they must share with others in order to initiate conversations using their chosen username. This setup is designed to help users control their message interactions, potentially shielding them from spam or unwanted messages.
As with the theme picker on iOS, the Username PIN feature is still in the development stage, meaning it won’t be accessible even if users download the latest WhatsApp beta for Android. Both features are expected to be tested with beta users in the future prior to wider availability on the stable version of the app.
