WhatsApp continues to work to expand its options for customizing the appearance of chat screens. In the latest beta version of the application released for iOS, new details about animated wallpapers as well as renewed chat themes have emerged. Within the scope of this feature, which was previously seen in the Android beta version, chat themes will be grouped under three different categories: Featured, Doodle and Minimal. Animated backgrounds will consist of slow and non-distracting animations that will not make it difficult for users to read messages.
References detected in the current WhatsApp beta version distributed by WABetaInfo via TestFlight show that the company plans to bring the personalization options it is working on on the Android side to iPhone users. The new system, which is not yet available for beta users to try directly, will offer different options to those who want to change the appearance of the chats. The Doodle category will feature wallpapers inspired by the classic drawing patterns that have been identified with WhatsApp for a long time. The minimal category will target users who want a simpler look and will show plain white or black backgrounds depending on whether the phone uses a light or dark theme. In this way, WhatsApp will bring together visually more vibrant options and as simple designs as possible under the same theme system.
WhatsApp designs animated wallpapers to be non-distracting
The category called Featured will be separated from the other two options with animated wallpapers. According to the information provided by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp prefers slow and gradual movements instead of fast or constantly attention-grabbing animations in these backgrounds. Although such an approach will slightly change the static appearance of the chat screen, it aims to prevent messages from remaining in the background. Fast-moving visual elements can distract the user, especially when reading long messages, and can also be disturbing for people with some accessibility needs. For this reason, it is stated that the slow animations are not due to a technical limitation, but to WhatsApp’s conscious design choice.
The new theme system will not be limited to just changing the background on the chat screen. According to the report, the colors of the message bubbles will also vary depending on the selected wallpaper. However, users will not be allowed to determine the colors of the wallpaper and message bubbles independently of each other. Instead, WhatsApp will automatically determine the bubble color to match the selected background. This method may make it easier to maintain color harmony, but it may limit the options for users who want to deeply customize the chat screen.
WhatsApp currently allows users to change the appearance of conversations through chat themes. While the company introduced chat themes to the general public in February 2025, it added chat bubbles in different colors and many new wallpaper options to the application. Users can set a common theme for all conversations, as well as apply different views to specific conversations. Since theme preferences are only seen by the user who makes the change, the chat view of the other person is not affected. The Featured, Doodle and Minimal categories being worked on can make the current personalization system more organized and visually diverse.
The emergence of animated wallpapers in both iOS and Android beta versions shows that WhatsApp is preparing the feature for the two major mobile platforms. However, the feature is currently in development and has not yet been opened to beta program participants, including TestFlight users. Therefore, there is no definitive information about when WhatsApp will distribute animated themes to the test group or on what date they will be added to the stable application. It also seems possible that the design or the number of themes to be offered will change during the development process. Available information suggests that WhatsApp is trying to limit the impact of animated backgrounds on readability and accessibility while increasing personalization options.
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