Overview
- WhatsApp began rolling the new theme experience to some Android beta testers on Thursday through version 2.26.37.6, with availability limited and staggered across accounts.
- The update installs five chat-theme categories—Featured, Nature, Live, Minimal, and Doodle—to let users apply curated theme packages rather than single wallpapers.
- Wallpapers are now grouped separately with new Vibrant and Gradient galleries plus a Live section of slow-moving animated backgrounds that show a small badge on their thumbnails.
- WhatsApp automatically suggests a message-bubble color matched to the chosen theme and wallpaper to keep text readable while still letting users pick a different color if they want.
- The rollout mirrors an iOS feature and follows WhatsApp’s usual beta-first testing pattern, so watchers should expect a wider but undated public release if tests proceed smoothly.