WhatsApp is testing new chat themes with animations on Android
WhatsApp will finally expand chat themes with new categories and styles on Android. Featured is the most important category, which lets users set animated wallpapers that move slowly in the background. WhatsApp will still adjust the bubble color automatically to ensure consistency and accessibility.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature: | New chat theme categories |
| Status: | Under development |
| Availability info: | This feature is currently in development and not yet available for beta testing. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp is testing an AI content label for channels! |
WhatsApp tested chat themes for the web client
Back in May, we announced that WhatsApp was working on a new set of chat themes for the web client. The feature would bring 39 themes organized in a grid layout. Users will still be able to apply a theme to all conversations or to individual chats. WhatsApp was also paying close attention to accessibility requirements, making sure that no theme would create readability issues in the interface. The customizations would remain private, so other participants in the conversation would not see the theme a user applied.
WhatsApp is now testing new chat theme categories for Android
WhatsApp will bring a new generation of chat themes to Android. The new themes are organized into three distinct categories, and they offer a different experience. We discovered the news with the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.31.2 update, which is available on the Google Play Store. Specifically, WhatsApp is testing a new set of chat themes divided into Featured, Doodle, and Minimal categories. In a future update, users will be able to customize their chat theme with more control.
The Featured category introduces animated wallpapers
The Featured category is the most distinctive. Unlike standard wallpapers, the themes in this category include animated elements that move slowly across the background. The animation is intentionally gradual. In particular, the wallpaper shifts slowly rather than moving quickly. This is not a coincidence since WhatsApp decided to keep it slow. A fast-moving wallpaper could distract users from the conversation, and rapid movement on screen can cause discomfort for some users with certain accessibility needs. The motion is soft enough that it never pulls the eye away from the messages. For users who want something different from the usual static wallpaper, this category is the right choice.
The Doodle category brings WhatsApp's signature wallpapers
The Doodle category covers familiar ground. These themes use the official WhatsApp doodle wallpapers that long-time users will immediately recognize. Most users know that the doodle style has been part of WhatsApp's identity for years. This category will give them a way to apply those classic backgrounds as a chat theme. For people who prefer something recognizable and consistent with WhatsApp's own aesthetic, the Doodle category will be the natural choice.
The Minimal category keeps things clean and simple
The Minimal category keeps chat themes simple. Instead of showing animation or patterns, it applies a plain background to the chat. Users on light mode get a white background, and those on dark mode get a dark one. No distractions, no patterns, just the conversation. Most people will choose themes from this category if they prefer a cleaner look. As a result, users can choose this category to keep the focus entirely on the conversation.
WhatsApp chooses bubble colors automatically
Themes in these three categories apply a bubble color automatically. This means that users do not need to pick the bubble color manually. Instead, WhatsApp will automatically select it to match the wallpaper and ensure the text remains readable. This feature also takes accessibility into account, making sure that there is enough contrast between the bubble color and the wallpaper. However, users will still be able to choose another bubble color if they want something different.
WhatsApp is developing new chat themes for a future Android update
The new chat theme categories are currently under development on Android. WhatsApp has not enabled them for beta testers yet. We expect WhatsApp to roll them out to beta testers in a future update. At the moment, WhatsApp has not shared an official timeline for their public release.
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