WhatsApp Chat Themes vs Messenger and Instagram

WhatsApp is expanding its visual customization options by introducing colorful chat themes, a feature that allows users to move beyond the application’s traditional green color scheme. This development brings the messaging platform closer to the customization capabilities found in other Meta-owned applications like Instagram and Facebook Messenger.

The new theming system, which has moved out of its beta phase as of February 24, 2025, enables users to personalize individual conversations. This is achieved through a palette of 20 different shades and 30 new wallpapers, accessible via the Default chat theme option within the Chat settings.

Technical Implementation and User Interface

The application of a theme affects the entire chat window, including the chat bubbles and other general user interface elements. To maintain legibility against these new colors, the familiar blue checkmarks used to indicate read messages are replaced with white ones.

Users have the ability to select from over 22 preset themes or create a custom look by mixing and matching specific wallpapers and color tones. These customizations are applied on a per-chat basis, allowing users to assign different colors to different contacts.

A key technical distinction exists between WhatsApp’s implementation and that of its sibling apps. While Instagram and Facebook Messenger share themes between the two participants in a conversation, WhatsApp’s themes are local. Changing a theme in a WhatsApp chat does not apply to the other person; the recipient continues to see their own chosen theme or the default setting.

Platform Availability and Expansion

The feature has been developed for both Android and iOS versions of the app. Beyond mobile devices, reports from Notebookcheck indicate that WhatsApp is working to bring a more colorful appearance to the desktop version of the service.

The rollout follows a period of testing where the feature was available to beta users for approximately four months prior to the February 2025 announcement. The update includes options for manual override, giving users more granular control over the colors of individual chat bubbles and wallpapers.

Broader Meta Ecosystem Context

The introduction of these themes aligns WhatsApp with the broader design trends of Meta’s communication suite. For instance, on December 20, 2025, Meta introduced two new chat themes for Instagram DMs and Facebook Messenger called Chill and Shape.

While WhatsApp now offers a wider range of color palettes and the ability to change background images, it has historically lagged behind Messenger and Instagram in this area. Those platforms have provided extensive theming and color selection for several years.

The shift toward a more customizable interface represents a departure from the monotonous green motif that has defined the app since its early years. By allowing users to personalize their messaging environment, WhatsApp is integrating more of the social and aesthetic features that characterize the other platforms under the Meta umbrella.