Google Messages Rolls Out Customizable Chat Themes

Google Messages has finally added a feature that many users have been waiting for: customizable chat themes. The feature was rolled out in late August 2026 and is available on both stable and beta versions of the app.

To access chat themes, ensure your Google Messages app is up to date by checking the Play Store for updates. Also, make sure RCS (Rich Communication Services) chats are enabled in the Messages settings. This feature should already be turned on, but it's worth double-checking.

Once you've updated and confirmed that RCS chats are enabled, follow these steps to find the chat themes option:

Open Google Messages, tap on a conversation, then tap the three dots in the top-right corner, and finally tap 'Chat theme'. From this page, you can choose from eight different color styles or select one of several pre-loaded wallpapers. You can even set your own custom wallpaper by choosing an image saved on your phone or from Google Photos.

Any customization options you make will only be visible to you in the conversation and won't affect how others see it. This feature is a welcome addition to Google Messages, which has been criticized for lacking some basic features until now.