WhatsApp Tests AI-Generated Chat Backgrounds, Auto-Color Bubbles on Android

WhatsApp is rolling out a major overhaul of chat appearance options for Android users, according to specialized feature-tracking reports. The update introduces a structured set of new design categories and background types, enabling more granular visual personalization of individual conversations.

New Design Categories and Background Types

The upcoming customization framework includes five distinct design categories: Nature, Featured, Minimal, Illustrations, and Animated. Within the Nature category, users can expect scenes such as forests, mountains, deserts, and coastlines. The Minimal category offers calmer, subdued background designs. Animated backgrounds will feature slow-motion motion effects and carry a dedicated visual indicator.

Crucially, WhatsApp is testing a functional separation between backgrounds and full themes. This means users will be able to select a background independently—without applying an entire theme package—granting greater flexibility in visual configuration.

Automatic Message Bubble Color Selection

A key innovation under evaluation is the app’s ability to automatically assign message bubble colors based on the selected design and background. This adjustment aims to preserve text legibility within each chat interface. Users retain manual override capability if the auto-selected color does not meet their preference.

New background options also include vibrant, gradient-based designs. In addition, users may choose images directly from their device gallery or generate custom backgrounds using artificial intelligence tools integrated into the app.

The feature suite remains in active testing, limited to a subset of participants enrolled in the WhatsApp Beta program, specifically those running version 2.26.37.6. Its rollout is incremental, meaning availability is not guaranteed even among all beta testers at this stage. No official release date has been confirmed for the stable Android version of WhatsApp.