WhatsApp is now introducing chat-specific themes.

WhatsApp has announced the rollout of chat-specific themes for Android users. The feature allows users to select different themes for different chats, allowing them to customize their experience. The new feature is only accessible to those using the Android beta of WhatsApp. Users can choose from 20 different colors and over 22 textured themes, with the option to apply a matching message color and customize each chat with a different wallpaper while keeping the message color. The themes are private, allowing each member of a conversation to customize it as they like. This move is a departure from Facebook Messenger's chat-specific themes, which have been available for ages. While most users won't receive the feature immediately, it is expected to be available to all WhatsApp users in the coming months.

WhatsApp has been working on chat-specific theme support for a few months now, and the good news is that the feature has finally started rolling out. The bad news is it's only accessible by those who are using the Android beta of WhatsApp.

So, while most of us won't get this right away, at least we can take a look and see what we can expect to roll out to every WhatsApp user in a few months or so.

Before you say "WhatsApp already has chat themes", yes it does, but the new feature lets you select different ones for different chats. So you're no longer confined to a one-size fits all (chats) sort of situation. Facebook Messenger has had chat-specific themes for ages, and it's kind of strange how WhatsApp is only now trying to get in on the action.

Anyway, you'll have 20 different colors to pick from, as well as more than 22 textured themes, as you can see from the screenshots above. Applying a theme will automatically apply a matching message color, and you can then opt to customize each chat with a different wallpaper while keeping that message color.

And unlike the way theming works in Facebook Messenger, the themes here are private, so each member of a conversation can customize it however they like.