Google Messages launches its own 'Chat themes' for conversation customization

Google Messages finally adds the ability to extensively customize chats with the new Chat themes feature. The feature is now available for beta users of version 20260622_01_RC00 and is being gradually rolled out.

What does Chat themes offer?

The new feature replaces the previous “Change colors”. Instead of nine fixed bubble and background colors, it brings more sophisticated options.

Colors

A color carousel is available, which includes Dynamic Color – a theme that adapts to the chat background – and eight static color schemes.

Wallpapers

Users can change the conversation background. Google offers a collection of wallpapers in categories: Animals, Architecture, Black and White, Cities, Landscapes, Macro, Space, Sunset, and Textures. You can also upload your own image.

Changes are visible only to you – other chat participants will not see them. This is a departure from the previous approach, where changes were shown to everyone.

Availability

The feature is currently in the stage of gradual server-side activation. If you have the beta version, you will see the “Chat theme” item with a red dot in the menu instead of “Change colors”. Wider deployment is expected in the near future.