WhatsApp Is Getting a Major Makeover on iPhone: Animated Wallpapers and New Chat Themes Are Coming
- byPranay Jain
- 13 Aug, 2026
WhatsApp users on iPhone could soon get a much more personalised chatting experience. The messaging platform is reportedly testing new customisation options that will allow users to change the appearance of individual chats with animated wallpapers, themed backgrounds, and matching message-bubble colours.
The upcoming changes are aimed at making WhatsApp conversations feel more personal, giving users greater control over how their chats look without changing the basic messaging experience.
Animated Wallpapers Could Make Chats More Interesting
One of the most eye-catching additions is the possibility of using animated wallpapers inside WhatsApp chats.
Instead of having the same static background across conversations, users could eventually be able to select more dynamic designs for individual chats.
This could be particularly useful for people who want to give different conversations a distinct look—for example, using one theme for family chats and another for friends or work conversations.
Chat Themes Could Change More Than Just the Wallpaper
WhatsApp is also testing themed backgrounds that can automatically coordinate with the colours of message bubbles.
This means changing a chat's theme could modify multiple visual elements at once rather than requiring users to customise every setting separately.
The feature could make conversations look more polished while giving users more options to personalise their WhatsApp interface.
The Update Is Reportedly Being Tested on iPhone
The new customisation features are currently being reported as part of WhatsApp's iPhone testing.
As with other WhatsApp beta features, testing does not guarantee that every feature will immediately become available to all users. WhatsApp can modify, delay, or even cancel features before a wider rollout.
Users therefore may have to wait for an official update before the new options appear on their devices.
Why Is WhatsApp Adding More Personalisation?
WhatsApp has traditionally kept its interface relatively simple compared with several competing messaging platforms. More customisation could help the app offer users a greater sense of ownership over individual conversations.
The move also comes as Meta continues to add more features across WhatsApp, Instagram, and its broader AI ecosystem.
For regular WhatsApp users, however, the biggest appeal may simply be the ability to make each conversation look different.
What Could You Do With the New Themes?
If the feature is eventually released widely, users could potentially create different visual styles for different conversations.
For example:
- A bright theme for family chats
- A simple design for work conversations
- A colourful theme for friends
- A personalised background for an individual chat
The exact customisation options will depend on the final version WhatsApp releases.
When Will the Feature Arrive?
There is currently no confirmed public release date for the new animated wallpapers and chat themes.
The features are still being tested, so users should not assume that they will appear immediately after updating WhatsApp.
The safest approach is to keep WhatsApp updated through the official App Store and wait for the feature to become available to your account.
A More Personal WhatsApp Could Be Coming
WhatsApp's latest testing suggests that the app may soon give iPhone users significantly more control over the look of their conversations.
Animated wallpapers, themed backgrounds, and matching message colours may sound like small changes, but together they could give WhatsApp chats a much more personalised appearance.



