Google Expands Chat Themes Beyond RCS Conversations

Google Messages has finally extended its chat themes feature to standard text conversations. The feature was previously limited to RCS (Rich Communication Services) chats, but users can now personalize their SMS-based conversations with custom wallpapers and themes.

The update brings the popular feature beyond RCS, which is a more advanced version of SMS. Users outside RCS can now access the chat themes option from the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of a conversation or by accessing the contact information page.

According to the report, users can choose from preset or custom wallpapers and select their preferred colors for their conversations. However, there's one difference between the RCS version and normal conversations: the selected theme is visible only on the device of the person who sets it.

The rollout of chat themes for SMS appears to be in its initial stage, and a wider rollout followed by an official announcement from Google is expected soon.