WhatsApp is introducing consistent blue read indicators for all chat themes, allowing users to clearly see when messages are read regardless of their chosen theme. The feature is currently being tested with a group of users, with feedback helping determine potential adjustments to balance clarity, accessibility, and visual customization.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Chat themes - blue read receipts |
| Status: | Rolling out |
| Compatibility: | The latest beta versions of WhatsApp for Android and iOS are designated as compatible updates. |
| Availability info: | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it is rolling out to more users over the coming weeks. |
| Thanks: | Muhammad Hammad, makgamer, IgnacioAF, and luismcgarcia, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.25.2: what's new? WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to share status updates with their close friends! |
CHAT THEMES - BLUE READ RECEIPTS
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.24.24 update, we announced that a feature that allows users to choose a chat theme on the business app was available. This feature provides businesses with the ability to customize individual conversations with distinct themes and colors. Users can select from a range of preset themes, each thoughtfully coordinated with matching wallpapers and message colors, or manually choose from up to 38 color options. Additionally, users can personalize their chats further by selecting wallpapers from WhatsApp's preloaded options, using solid color backgrounds enhanced with WhatsApp doodles, or uploading images from their personal library. It seems that WhatsApp is now introducing some refinements for chat themes, aimed at improving the clarity of some interface elements and making the overall chat experience more intuitive. Following the release of the latest updates of WhatsApp beta for Android and iOS, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out blue read receipts for all chat themes!
As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is testing a new behavior for read receipts in chat themes. In the past, read receipts in certain themes were displayed in white instead of the traditional blue. This change was implemented because blue checkmarks did not harmonize with the colors of some message bubbles. WhatsApp initially decided to override the default blue color in some chat themes to improve visual accessibility, ensuring that read receipts stood out against the background through a white color.
However, while this change aimed to address certain accessibility concerns, it introduced new issues for some users. When a message was delivered but not yet read, the checkmarks were gray. Once the message was read, the checkmarks turned white in specific chat themes. The distinction between gray and white was subtle, making it harder for users to quickly recognize whether a message had been read. Many users found this less intuitive and expressed a preference for returning to blue read receipts.
In response to this feedback, WhatsApp is now testing blue read receipts across all chat themes for both iOS and Android users. This update ensures that read receipts are instantly recognizable, maintaining the classic gray-to-blue distinction while preserving the personalization of chat themes. This change improves clarity without drastically compromising accessibility, as users can still easily distinguish between delivered and read messages while enjoying the visual customization of different chat themes.
It's worth noting that WhatsApp is currently experimenting with this feature with a certain group of users and has not confirmed a permanent rollout. WhatsApp is likely monitoring feedback closely to see how users respond to blue read receipts across different chat themes. Depending on the results, WhatsApp may decide to make the feature available to all users or make further adjustments to improve clarity and accessibility in the future. WhatsApp could even restore white read receipts for certain themes if it better suits the overall design or accessibility needs. This testing phase allows WhatsApp to refine the experience for all users while ensuring that any changes reflect their preferences.
A feature that makes read receipts blue for all chat themes is available to some beta testers who install the latest version of WhatsApp beta for Android and iOS, and it may be released out to more people over the coming weeks.
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