Google Messages Adds Chat Themes for Standard Texts
Google Messages has quietly rolled out the ability to set custom chat themes for standard SMS conversations. This feature, which was previously limited to RCS chats, allows users to personalize their messaging experience with preset or custom wallpapers and colors.
The change may have been facilitated by the fact that chat themes are now limited to the person who sets it, rather than applying to everyone in the conversation. As a result, Google has seemingly removed the technical barrier that prevented this feature from being applied to standard texts as well.
Users can access the chat theme feature by tapping on the contact info page or through the three-dot menu at the top right of the conversation. While it's unclear how long this feature has been active, its availability for standard texts is a welcome addition for users who still rely on SMS.