Personalize Your Chats: 22 New Themes Now in Beta for the Leading Messaging App

WhatsApp Customizable Chat Themes Rolling Out in Beta

WhatsApp is stepping into a new era of personalization with the introduction of customizable chat themes. The beta rollout, available in version 2.24.21.34 for Android and 24.20.71 for iOS, offers users 22 distinct themes and 20 color variations to transform the look and feel of every conversation. This feature goes beyond simple light or dark mode, allowing users to tailor each chat’s background and color palette to reflect mood, brand identity, or personal preference. In this post, we’ll dive deep into the feature’s capabilities, explore how businesses can leverage it with the WhatsApp Marketing Tool, and provide practical steps to get started.

Why Custom Themes Matter for Users and Brands

Personalization has become a cornerstone of digital engagement. For individual users, a customized interface can improve readability, reduce eye strain, and simply make the app feel more “theirs.” For brands, however, the stakes are higher. Consistent visual cues—such as branded colors or logos embedded in chat backgrounds—can reinforce brand recognition, create a cohesive customer experience, and even influence purchasing decisions.

By allowing users to set distinct themes per conversation, WhatsApp gives businesses unprecedented flexibility to segment audiences. For example, a retailer could use a bright, energetic theme for promotional chats while reserving a calm, muted theme for customer support. The result is a subtle yet powerful way to convey brand personality without intrusive advertising.

Getting Started: How to Access the Beta Feature

• Android: Open the Google Play Store, navigate to “My apps & games,” tap the “Beta” tab, and enable the “WhatsApp” beta program. Once the update (2.24.21.34) is downloaded, launch WhatsApp and go to Settings > Chat settings > Chat themes.
• iOS: Join Apple’s TestFlight beta program for WhatsApp (24.20.71). After installation, open the app, go to Settings > Chats > Chat themes.
• For those who prefer not to join the beta, the feature will roll out gradually in future stable releases. Keep your app updated to receive the newest enhancements automatically.

Exploring the 22 New Themes

WhatsApp’s beta introduces a range of themes that cover a spectrum of aesthetics—from minimalist gradients to vibrant patterns. Each theme includes:

• Primary Color: Sets the dominant hue for chat bubbles, status bars, and navigation elements.
• Secondary Color: Applies to accents such as reply arrows, icons, and message timestamps.
• Background Wallpaper: Offers either a solid color, a subtle texture, or a full‑screen image.
• Theme Preview: A live mockup that shows how the theme will appear across different chat states (incoming, outgoing, media, etc.).

Users can preview each theme before applying it, ensuring a seamless transition. For brands, the ability to preview multiple themes side‑by‑side is invaluable when selecting the most on‑brand option.

Step‑by‑Step Guide to Customizing Your Chat Themes

Below is a comprehensive walkthrough that covers both individual and business use cases.

1. Open Chat Theme Settings: Navigate to Settings > Chat settings > Chat themes.
2. Select “Default Theme” or “Custom Theme”:
   • Default Theme: Applies the chosen theme to all chats.
   • Custom Theme: Allows per‑chat customization.
3. Choose a Theme: Browse the 22 available options. Tap on a theme to view its preview.
4. Adjust Colors (Optional): If you want a unique twist, use the color picker to fine‑tune the primary or secondary hues. This is particularly useful for aligning with brand guidelines.
5. Set a Background Wallpaper: Tap the background section to select from the pre‑loaded images or upload a custom image from your gallery. For businesses, this could be a branded pattern or a high‑resolution product shot.
6. Apply to Individual Chats: Long‑press a chat in the main list, tap “Chat theme,” and select the desired theme or customize it further.
7. Save and Preview: Once you’ve applied the theme, open the chat to see the final look. If needed, tweak the settings until you’re satisfied.

Best Practices for Brands Using Custom Themes

• Align with Brand Colors: Use your brand’s primary and secondary colors as the base for the theme. Consistency across all touchpoints reinforces brand recall.
• Keep It Subtle: Overly bright or flashy backgrounds can distract from the message. Aim for a balanced palette that enhances readability.
• Use High‑Quality Images: If you choose a custom wallpaper, ensure it’s high resolution and properly cropped. Low‑quality images can appear pixelated on larger screens.
• Segment by Audience: Assign distinct themes for different customer segments (e.g., VIPs, new users, support). This subtle differentiation can signal personalized service.
• Test Across Devices: Verify that the theme looks consistent on both Android and iOS, as subtle rendering differences can occur.

Integrating Themes with the WhatsApp Marketing Tool

The WhatsApp Marketing Tool is designed to help brands automate messaging, segment audiences, and track engagement. By combining the new theme feature with the tool’s capabilities, you can create a fully branded communication ecosystem.

1. Define Audience Segments: Use the marketing tool to segment your contacts by demographics, purchase history, or engagement level.
2. Assign Themes: Map each segment to a specific chat theme. For example, “Premium Subscribers” could receive a gold‑accented theme, while “New Leads” get a fresh, light‑colored theme.
3. Automate Theme Application: While the current WhatsApp API does not allow programmatic theme changes, you can instruct your team or your customers via in‑app messages to select the appropriate theme manually.
4. Track Engagement: Use the marketing tool’s analytics to correlate theme usage with response rates, click‑throughs, or conversion metrics. This data can guide future theme refinements.
5. Iterate: Based on analytics, adjust color palettes, background images, or theme assignments to maximize engagement.

Future Roadmap: What to Expect Beyond Beta

WhatsApp’s beta rollout is just the beginning. Here’s what we anticipate in the coming months:

• Expanded Theme Library: Expect additional themes that cater to seasonal events, cultural celebrations, and industry‑specific aesthetics.
• Theme Templates for Businesses: Official templates that align with major brand categories (e.g., e‑commerce, finance, healthcare) may be released.
• Dynamic Theme Switching: Features that automatically switch themes based on time of day or user activity could enhance contextual relevance.
• API Support: While the current API does not expose theme settings, future updates may allow developers to suggest themes to users or set default themes for business accounts.
• Accessibility Enhancements: Improved contrast options and color‑blind friendly palettes will make themes more inclusive.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I join the beta program? For Android, enable the beta in Google Play. For iOS, use TestFlight. Once the update is installed, you can access the theme settings.
• Can I revert to the default theme? Yes, simply select “Default Theme” in the chat theme settings.
• Will my theme be visible to the person I’m chatting with? No. Theme settings are private and only affect your own interface.
• Can I share a custom theme with my contacts? While you can’t share themes directly, you can recommend specific themes and provide instructions on how to apply them.
• Is there a limit to the number of custom themes I can create? No, you can create and apply as many custom themes as you like.

Conclusion: Embrace the New Era of Personalization

WhatsApp’s customizable chat themes represent a significant shift toward user‑centric design. For individuals, the ability to tailor every chat’s look and feel enhances daily communication. For businesses, it offers a subtle yet powerful branding tool that can differentiate customer interactions and foster loyalty.

By combining this feature with the WhatsApp Marketing Tool, brands can create a cohesive, engaging, and data‑driven messaging strategy that resonates with each segment of their audience. As the feature matures and expands, it will become an indispensable asset for marketers looking to elevate their WhatsApp presence.

Ready to experiment? Join the beta, explore the themes, and start customizing your chats today. Stay tuned for future updates that will unlock even more creative possibilities.