Google Messages adds custom chat themes and wallpapers for RCS users
Android's default messaging app now allows per-conversation personalization with custom images and a new color palette.
Google has begun rolling out a personalization update for Google Messages that allows users to set custom chat themes and wallpapers for individual conversations. The feature enables a level of visual customization previously reserved for third-party messaging platforms.
Users can now personalize their chat backgrounds by selecting from a variety of pre-selected image categories, including Animals, Architecture, Landscapes, and Space. For those seeking more specific customization, the app supports uploading personal photos directly from the device gallery. Beyond imagery, Google has introduced a palette of nine color options to modify the interface and chat bubbles: Default (Material You Dynamic Color), Blue, Turquoise, Purple, Green, Orange, Fuchsia, Pink, and Monochrome. According to Tom's Guide, these customizations are client-side, meaning the themes are visible only to the user who sets them and do not change the appearance of the chat for the other participant.
Closing the Personalization Gap
For years, Google Messages lacked the deep, per-chat personalization found in major competitors such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and iMessage. While Android users could utilize system-wide accent colors via Material You, the ability to assign unique backgrounds to specific contacts remained a long-requested feature. This update addresses a significant gap in the user experience, moving away from a uniform look for all conversations toward a more tailored environment.
The Role of RCS
This feature is not available for standard SMS or MMS; it requires Rich Communication Services (RCS) to be active to function. By tying these visual enhancements to RCS, Google further incentivizes the adoption of the modern messaging standard across the Android ecosystem. The ability to visually distinguish between different conversation threads not only enhances user expression but also improves the functional utility of the app for those managing numerous active chats.
What to Watch
While the feature is rolling out, availability may vary across different devices and regions. Users should check their conversation settings to see if the option has arrived. It remains to be seen if Google will expand these options to include animated backgrounds or further integration with other Google services to provide more dynamic theme options in the future.