Technology
Google Messages officially announces custom chat themes and backgrounds for RCS
The new customization features let Android users personalize individual conversations with custom photos and preset wallpapers.
The short version
- Google Messages has officially announced custom chat themes and backgrounds for RCS conversations on Android.
- The features allow users to upload personal photos or choose from preset themes to change wallpapers and message bubble colors.
- Customizations are private and only visible on the user's individual device without affecting the recipient's screen.
Key facts
- Google Messages officially announced the custom chat themes and backgrounds feature following recent beta testing.[9to5Google]
- The customization feature requires RCS to function.[9to5Google]
- Users can set custom photos from their gallery or select from curated categories such as Animals, Landscapes, and Space.[9to5Google]
- Message bubble colors are designed to automatically adjust to complement the chosen wallpaper, though manual adjustments remain an option.[9to5Google]
What remains uncertain
- The exact timeline for a wider public rollout is unclear, as the feature was not yet widely visible in stable or beta channels on the morning of the announcement.[9to5Google]