Key Facts

• Google Messages is introducing a new feature called "Chat themes" that allows users to customize their conversations with various themes, colors, and wallpapers, which is currently available to some beta users with version 20260622_01_RC00.
• The "Chat theme" option replaces the previous "Change colors" feature, which was introduced in 2024 with nine options for message bubbles and backgrounds, and provides more extensive customization options.
• The new feature includes a "Colors" carousel with nine options, including a Dynamic Color option that responds to the background of the chat, and a "Wallpapers" option that allows users to upload their own image or choose from Google's collection of stock categories.
• The customization options are user-specific, meaning that "only you will see these changes", and include a conversation preview at the top of the screen, a carousel of colors, and a selection of wallpapers.
• The rollout of Chat themes is staggered, with some users already receiving the update, while others may have to wait, and can be accessed by looking for a red dot badge in the overflow menu, which replaces "Change colors" with "Chat theme".