Google Messages introduces new Chat Themes: Custom Background feature

A major personalization feature that Google Messages users have been eagerly anticipating for a long time has now been officially introduced. From now on, you can customize Chat Themes, Custom Backgrounds, and Message Bubble colors for RCS conversations according to your preference. Would you like to set your favorite photo as the background for your Google Messages chats too, giving it a unique look tailored just for you?

Google Messages is currently one of the most popular messaging apps in the Android world. Its usage has been growing rapidly, especially due to modern features like RCS Messaging and End-to-End Encryption. With Google Messages also becoming the primary messaging platform on Samsung Galaxy smartphones, this new customization update offers an enhanced experience for users. Additionally, if you have switched from Samsung Messages to Google Messages, will this new feature be useful to you? Read on to discover what changes you can make with the new Chat Theme feature.

New Custom Chat Theme Feature Arrives on Google Messages

  Until now, personalization options in Google Messages were very limited. Particularly for many who used Samsung Messages, the lack of options to customize conversations was a drawback. Now, Google has changed this situation. Through the new update, you can set a separate Theme and Background for each RCS chat. You can use a family photo for a family group chat, a different wallpaper for a chat with friends, and set a simple background for work-related conversations. As a result, you get the ability to give a unique look to every conversation.

You can also use your Gallery photos as a Background

  One of the key features of this new update is that users can directly use photos from their Gallery as a chat background. For example:

• Family photos 

• Nature scenes

• Pet photos 

• Personal favorite pictures 

and more can be chosen as the conversation wallpaper. On top of this, pre-installed Wallpapers provided by Google are also available.

Animals, Landscapes, and Space Wallpapers 

Various types of curated wallpaper collections are offered in the new customization section of Google Messages. Mainly included in this are categories like:

• Animals

• Landscapes

• Space 

• Other preset patterns

Because of this, those who do not wish to use a personal photo can select their favorite from the wallpapers provided by Google.

You can also change Message Bubble colors

This new Chat Theme feature is not just for changing the Background. You can also change the Message Bubble colors. When a new wallpaper is selected, Google Messages automatically changes the color scheme to match it. 

 In other words, the Background and Message Bubble colors will be set to complement each other. However, if you don't like the color automatically chosen by Google, users also have the option to manually change it to their favorite color.

Your Theme will not be visible to others

The most important aspect of this new feature is privacy. The Background or Theme a user changes for their chat will not be visible to others in that conversation. For example, if you set a custom wallpaper for a chat with your friend, it will only be seen on your smartphone. 

 There will be no change to the appearance of Google Messages for the person on the other end. Through this, everyone can customize their conversations according to their own preference.

How to change Google Messages Chat Theme? 

 After the new feature becomes available on your smartphone, you can change the Chat Theme in the following way.

Step 1: Open the Google Messages app First, open the Google Messages app and select the RCS conversation you want to customize.

Step 2: Tap the Contact or Group name Tap the Contact Name or Group Name at the top of the Chat. On some devices, this option may also be available through the Three-Dot Menu at the top.

Step 3: Select Chat Theme Select the Chat Theme option in the Menu

Step 4: Select Color and Wallpaper Here you can select one of the following:

Preferred Color Theme Google Preset Wallpaper Personal Photo from Gallery

Step 5: Preview and Apply After selecting, you can see how the conversation will look on the Preview screen. Then you can Apply it.

Can you return to the Default Theme again? 

Yes. If you don't like the Custom Theme you set, you can return to the old Google Messages look again. For this, it is enough to go to Chat Theme settings and select the Reset to Default option. 

Through this, the conversation will return to its normal appearance again.

RCS is Required for this Feature 

Google Messages' new Chat Themes and Custom Background feature will not be available for all regular SMS and MMS conversations. This feature is mainly provided for RCS Conversations. Therefore, to use this feature, it is important that:

• Google Messages must be used 

• RCS Chat must be enabled 

• The new feature must be rolled out to your device

Will it be Available Immediately to All Users? 

Although Google has officially announced this new personalization feature, it is being rolled out gradually to all Android users rather than all at once. Therefore, this feature may be available immediately for some users. Others may have to wait a few days or weeks. Keeping the Google Messages app updated to the latest version may help in getting the new feature quickly.

Why is this important for Samsung users? 

Many users of Samsung Galaxy smartphones used the Samsung Messages app in the past. However, Google Messages is now being used as the primary messaging app on many Galaxy devices. As a result, users who switched from Samsung Messages to Google Messages felt that options related to customization and personalization were lacking.

 With the introduction of new Chat Themes and Custom Backgrounds, that drawback has now been resolved to an extent. Because the option to give a unique look to each conversation is now available, the Google Messages user experience becomes even more interesting.

Google Messages is now becoming even more Personal

Google Messages, which had been focusing on RCS Messaging, secure communication, and modern messaging features, has now started giving importance to visual customization as well. Features like changing the Chat Background, using personal photos, and customizing Message Bubble colors make the messaging experience even more personal. 

 In particular, rather than forcing the same theme change on everyone like other messaging apps, providing a personalized customization experience to each user is the key highlight of this feature.

The new Custom Chat Themes and Background feature introduced to Google Messages is a significant personalization update in the Android messaging experience. Users can not only use photos from their Gallery, but also create a unique look for each conversation through preset wallpapers and color themes provided by Google. Furthermore, because these customization changes are visible only on the user's device, importance has also been given to privacy. This new RCS-based feature is currently being rolled out gradually to Android devices. After the full rollout is complete, the Google Messages experience is expected to become an even more personal and visually customizable messaging app than before.

Google Messages Chat Themes FAQs

1. What is the new Chat Theme feature in Google Messages? Chat Theme is a new customization feature in Google Messages that allows you to change the personal Background, Wallpaper, and Message Bubble colors for each RCS conversation.

2. Can I set my own photo as a Google Messages background? Yes. You can use any favorite photo from your smartphone Gallery as a Google Messages conversation background.

3. Will the Chat Theme I change be visible to others as well? No. The Chat Theme and Background you set will be visible only on your device. There will be no change on the screens of others in the conversation.

4. Is RCS required for the Google Messages Chat Themes feature? Yes. The new Chat Themes and Custom Background feature is provided for RCS conversations. It will not work in regular SMS or MMS chats.

5. Can I go back to the Google Messages Default Theme again? Yes. Through the Reset to Default option in the Chat Theme settings, you can return to the old normal theme at any time.