Quick Answer
To change WhatsApp chat themes, go to Settings > Chats > Default chat theme and pick from preset themes or upload a custom wallpaper. For individual chats, open the chat, tap the 3-dot menu > Chat theme, and select your preferred theme. The changes apply only to your view. WhatsApp now offers 30 new wallpapers and more customization options for a personalized chat experience.
For a long time, WhatsApp has stuck to its default green color for everything, from its icon to its user interface. Third-party apps offer you the option to change the WhatsApp theme, but nothing can be done inside the official app. Other social media apps, especially its direct competitor, Telegram, have offered the option to change chat themes for years. Thankfully, Meta-owned WhatsApp finally decided that it was time for some meaty upgrades to the platform, and with the latest update, it added the option to change WhatsApp chat themes.
With the WhatsApp chat themes, users can change the boring green color WhatsApp conversation UI along with chat bubbles. You also get plenty of other customization options as well, which we will be discussing in this guide on how you can change WhatsApp chat themes. Without any further ado, let’s jump right into it.
What are WhatsApp chat themes?
Similar to other platforms from Meta, like Instagram, you can now change the chat themes on WhatsApp. The feature was previously available for beta users, but WhatsApp has now officially announced it for all users. Meta-owned WhatsApp stated that the new chat themes “can make your chats uniquely yours with colorful chat bubbles and new wallpapers.”
The new customization features let you choose from a preset list of WhatsApp chat themes, which, when applied, modifies both chat bubbles and chat backgrounds simultaneously. Plus, you can also give your brain a creativity boost by mixing and matching chat themes, choosing a background, and using chat bubble colors to suit your needs.
Plus, WhatsApp has added 30 new wallpaper options, allowing users to pick the perfect one that suits their tastes. Or better yet, you can also upload your image from your camera or gallery and use it as your new WhatsApp chat theme background. The best part is that you can choose to keep the chat theme the same for all your contacts or go a step ahead and change the chat theme individually for that extra special one.
However, do note that the chat themes are visible only, and your contact will not see the change. Additionally, WhatsApp lets you change the theme of your channels.
How to apply WhatsApp chat themes?
Change the WhatsApp chat theme globally
- Launch WhatsApp.
- Tap on the 3-dot menu icon and select Settings.
- Navigate down and choose the Chats option.
- Under the Display section, tap on the Default chat theme.
- You will see a wide range of chat theme options for chat bubbles.
- Tapping on the Wallpaper option will let you choose between all the 30 different wallpaper options.
- You can swipe left to preview more.
- WhatsApp also offers the option to change the brightness intensity of the background wallpaper.
- Tapping the green tick in the preview window at the top-right will apply the theme globally.
The above steps will apply the selected WhatsApp chat theme across the UI, meaning for every chat or contact, you will see the selected chat theme. However, if you wish to select a separate chat theme for a specific chat, move on to the next section.
Change the WhatsApp chat theme for specific chat
- Open WhatsApp.
- Open the chat for which you want to change the theme.
- Tap on the 3-dot menu icon at the top inside the chat window and tap on the Chat theme option. On iOS, simply press the chat name.
- Choose the theme you want and tap on the green tick on the top-right.
Final thoughts
It’s a nice touch by WhatsApp to introduce a fun element and an option to allow users to customize the chats as per their preference. After all, it is used by billions across the globe. However, WhatsApp isn’t simply about sending or receiving messages or calls. It has become intelligent.
After integrating Meta AI inside the platform, which you can use to ask questions and generate AI images, you can also use ChatGPT in WhatsApp. Also, you don’t have to save a number to send a WhatsApp message to a contact because there are different ways you can send a WhatsApp message without saving a number.
