How to enable WhatsApp chat themes in Android beta: customize chats with 20 color options

Some eligible accounts might already be able to access the new chat themes feature, introduced in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.21.34 update from the Google Play Store. This guide will help these users navigate the necessary steps to enable and customize chat themes on their devices.

In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.21.34 update, we announced that WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to choose a chat theme among 20 different colors. This feature allows users to personalize their conversations by selecting different themes for specific chats, enhancing the customization options available in the app. Users can either apply a default theme across all chats right within the app settings or choose a unique theme for individual conversations through the overflow menu, ensuring a visually distinct experience. Each theme is complemented by an automatic message color to maintain a cohesive look, with further customization available through wallpapers. Initially, the feature is available to a limited group of beta testers, allowing WhatsApp to gather feedback and ensure a smooth rollout before expanding it to a wider audience. However, there might be some eligible users who can already experiment with this feature, even if the chat themes option is not yet visible to them.

As you can see from the attached screenshot, we've highlighted two key areas: the default chat themes option and the toggle for managing the side-by-side view on tablets. This toggle is particularly important, as it plays a crucial role in this guide. However, there are some prerequisites to meet in order to access chat themes:

• ⁠Your account must be eligible to access the chat themes feature. You won't know if your account is eligible until you follow this guide. Many accounts may already be eligible, but users won't see the chat themes option unless they follow this guide. If the guide doesn't work for you, it means your account is not eligible.
• Install the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.21.34 update from the Google Play Store.

If you have an Android tablet as a linked device, you have to disable the "Side-by-side view" option right within WhatsApp Settings > Chats. After disabling this option, restart WhatsApp. Doing so might activate chat themes on your tablet if your account is eligible. In addition, some eligible users may be able to access chat themes on their mobile phones by temporarily changing the DPI value in their phone settings and disabling the "Side-by-side view" option. If you want to learn more about how to change the DPI value, please follow these steps:

1. Enable developer mode in your phone settings. It's important to proceed with caution when using developer options, as making unintended changes can affect your device performance or functionality. It's essential to only adjust settings you understand. If you are not familiar with developer options, limit your usage to the instructions provided in this guide.
2. Adjust the "Smallest width" setting by entering a higher value within the developer options screen. For example, the original value we found was 392, and we changed it to 600. Be sure to note the original value so you can restore it after enabling chat themes. After making this change, the screen layout will automatically adjust to a wider format.
3. Changing this width setting will also cause the "Side-by-side view" option to temporarily appear in WhatsApp Settings > Chats on mobile phones. If this option does not appear, please try a different value.
4. When the "Side-by-side view" option is visible in WhatsApp Settings > Chats, disable it and restart WhatsApp. You should then be able to experiment with chat themes if your account is eligible.
5. Reset the "Smallest width" value to the original one you noted earlier within the developer options screen.

It is important to note that if disabling this option doesn't allow you to experiment with chat themes, it means your account is not yet ready. Some accounts might be already eligible, but it's needed to disable the "side-by-side view" option first. It's worth noting that there are generally more chances for chat themes to be enabled on tablets rather than mobile phones by following our guide. However, our tests have shown successful implementation of chat themes even on some mobile devices, though we expect this method to work for only a small percentage of users. Whether chat themes are available to you will depend on a particular account eligibility. If this method doesn't work for your account, you will still need to wait for a future update. Additionally, since WhatsApp frequently updates the beta app, this guide may not apply to future versions, as new updates could either address this workaround or automatically disable the tablet option, expanding the availability of chat themes to a wider audience.

A feature to choose a chat theme among 20 different colors is available to some beta testers who install the latest updates of WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store, and it is rolling out to even more people over the coming weeks.

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