WhatsApp to Unveil New Default Chat Theme Customization for iOS Users

In the most recent beta update for WhatsApp on iOS, version 24.11.10.70, available through Apple's TestFlight for testing, WABetaInfo discovered a forthcoming Default chat theme feature. While this functionality is still under development and thus not currently accessible, it presents an intriguing peek into potential customization for beta users down the line.

With advancements in the app's design framework, WhatsApp is introducing a way for users to select a default theme, altering the appearance of chat bubbles directly on their mobile devices. This new customization feature, likely including a variety of colour choices, was first noticed in the trial version of the application tailored for iPhone users. Reflecting its continual evolution, WhatsApp, under the umbrella of Meta, has recently revamped the visual theme for its iOS clientele, incorporating a green hue across various interface components, notably the buttons and notification badges.

Details on the Default chat theme feature surfaced

During the rollout of the newest WhatsApp beta for iOS, the feature exploration entity WABetaInfo highlighted the integration of a Default chat theme functionality that's in the pipeline. Though it's not ready for immediate use, its inclusion indicates future accessibility for those in the beta testing program.

Exploring the Default chat theme feature mechanics

WABetaInfo also shared insights into how this feature is shaping up, showing that WhatsApp plans to implement a chat theme selection tool within the app's settings. Users will be given a choice among five colour themes: the original green, blue, grey, red, and purple. This feature aims to enhance the customization of chat aesthetics, including bubble colour and wallpaper, accentuated with themed WhatsApp doodle backgrounds, but will be restricted to the user's device alone. Unlike Instagram's approach to thematic customization, which alters the chat view for both participants, WhatsApp's upcoming feature maintains changes on a singular device basis.

The anticipation for this new chat theme selection tool builds, with expectations set for its availability to iOS beta users first, before making its way to the broader audience on the stable release. The tradition of feature parity between iOS and Android versions of WhatsApp gives hope that Android users will eventually receive this customization option as well.