WhatsApp Chat Themes vs Messenger and Instagram

Meta is developing an update for the WhatsApp web interface that will introduce comprehensive theme customization options. This move aims to bring the web version of the platform closer to feature parity with its mobile counterparts on iOS and Android.

The update is expected to introduce a wide array of visual options, with reports indicating as many as 49 different themes may be available. This expansion would significantly increase the personalization capabilities of the web app, which currently offers a limited selection of colors and the ability to add doodles.

Expanded Customization Features

While WhatsApp mobile users can already adjust chat backgrounds and the color of chat bubbles, these features have been absent from the web and desktop versions. The upcoming update is designed to bridge this gap by implementing similar functionality for desktop users.

Key technical details of the reported update include:

• Per-chat customization, which allows users to apply different themes to individual conversations.
• Dynamic backgrounds that shift and adapt to match the selected theme.
• A variety of themes featuring multiple shades within the same color families.

The inclusion of a large number of variations within single color families suggests that Meta may be using this phase to test and refine which specific themes will be most popular before a final launch. Currently, neither the iOS nor Android versions of the app offer a theme library of this size.

Privacy and User Experience

A critical distinction in WhatsApp’s approach to themes is the focus on individual privacy. Unlike other Meta-owned messaging platforms, such as Instagram or Messenger, where selected themes can be visible to both participants in a conversation, WhatsApp intends to keep these choices private.

Theme selections will be visible only to the individual user’s account. This ensures that the visual personalization of the interface does not affect the experience of the person on the other end of the chat.

This design choice aligns with WhatsApp’s broader focus on personal privacy while still allowing users to make the interface more engaging and less drab.

Broader Platform Context

The web app has historically lagged behind the mobile application in terms of feature deployment. Because the mobile app is the primary driver of the service, updates are typically rolled out there first. The introduction of a fully fleshed-out themes system represents a shift toward making the desktop client as feature-rich as the mobile experience.

Beyond visual updates, other developments are reportedly in progress for the platform. Meta is also developing a username feature, which is expected to be in advanced stages of development and could potentially launch later in 2026.

By integrating these personalization tools, Meta is aligning the WhatsApp web experience with the more visually dynamic interfaces found in its other messaging products, while maintaining the specific privacy standards associated with the WhatsApp brand.