# Google Messages gets fun new chat themes Personalize your conversations with colorful new options - **Source:** [Latest from Android Central](https://brifing.si/source/c01c90da-6cf6-4b63-a76b-3d38df0e8324) - **Published:** 2026-09-01 - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/5bec51f6-eb96-43e9-b24f-72dedd17b7cb ## Google Messages' new feature Google has finally added a long-awaited feature to its Messages app: chat themes. Users can now personalize not just bubble colors but the entire chat interface. The update allows selecting photos from your gallery or applying one of Google's preset themes. Color combinations automatically adapt to match the selected theme, creating a cohesive look for your conversations. ## How to use it To change your chat theme, first open any conversation in Messages. Tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner and select 'Chat theme.' From here, you can choose from pre-made themes or select 'Choose photo' to upload an image from your gallery. The interface also lets you manually adjust color combinations to perfectly match your preferred aesthetic. ## Comparison with Apple Messages Google's update brings functionality similar to Apple Messages' background features, but with one key difference: themes currently only appear on your device. Unlike Apple's system where background changes sync across both users' devices, Google's implementation remains local. This limitation might disappoint users who enjoy shared customization experiences with their contacts. ## Missed opportunities Many users see the lack of Nano Banana AI integration as a significant oversight. iPhones offer background creation and editing through Apple Intelligence, a feature Google could have mirrored. Additionally, the absence of cross-device theme syncing has drawn criticism. Competing apps like Instagram and Facebook Messenger already offer limited background synchronization between users. ## User reactions The new theme feature has been generally well-received, particularly praised for moving beyond the previous limitation of just nine bubble color options. However, some users want themes to be visible to both parties in a conversation. One user commented, "It would be fun to see how long it takes friends to notice changes," highlighting the social aspect missing from Google's implementation. ## Reported issues Some users report the app freezing when exiting the theme selection screen without applying changes. This bug doesn't affect all users but has been consistent for several reports. Google is expected to fix this minor issue soon. In some cases, users receive a warning prompt when attempting to exit without saving changes, though this behavior appears inconsistent. ## Competitive landscape The messaging app competition continues to intensify. Rivals like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal all offer similar customization features. Google's move is part of a broader strategy to make Messages more appealing, especially with its RCS support. The company aims to increase adoption among Android users, positioning Messages as the default rich communication platform. ## Why it matters Personalization features significantly boost user engagement and app loyalty. Google's new theme options substantially enhance the Messages experience, particularly appealing to younger demographics who value visual customization. This update represents a strategic move to strengthen Google's position in the competitive messaging market, offering Android users compelling reasons to choose Messages over third-party alternatives. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.androidcentral.com/apps-software/how-to-use-google-messages-chat-themes — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._