WhatsApp likely to let iOS users add animated wallpapers to chat themes

WhatsApp is apparently preparing to add chat themes with animated wallpapers to the iOS version. This update would let users personalize the messaging experience by changing background themes and wallpapers and setting the bubble colour for every theme. The Meta-owned messaging app is said to introduce three different categories for chat themes, which are reportedly currently in the development stage. WhatsApp will reportedly bring Featured, Doodle, and Minimal categories for chat themes.

WhatsApp is reportedly testing animated wallpapers as part of a new chat themes feature on iOS. According to WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo, the functionality has been spotted in the WhatsApp beta for iOS version 26.31.10.74, currently available through TestFlight.

The messaging platform is said to be developing three theme categories — Featured, Doodle, and Minimal. The Featured category is expected to include animated wallpapers to make chat backgrounds feel more dynamic without distracting users from their conversations. The update could allow users to personalise individual chats with a wider variety of themes. WABetaInfo also shared a screenshot showing how the new themes may appear within the app.

The Doodle theme is expected to feature patterned doodle backgrounds, while the minimal theme may offer a plain background with fewer distractions. WhatsApp is also reportedly testing chat bubble colours that automatically match the selected theme. The feature is expected to work similarly on both iOS and Android devices and may arrive in a future public release of the app.

Meanwhile, WhatsApp announced several new updates to its platform recently. The messaging app enhanced its poll feature, allowing users to set voting deadlines and allow anonymous responses. It also launched an @all mentions feature, which lets users notify everyone in a group with a single tag.

WhatsApp also allow users to create a new group chat from an existing group without having to select and add participants again. In addition, WhatsApp rolled out audio call and video call support on its Web version. The calls are said to be end-to-end encrypted.