The world's most popular messaging app continues to explore ways to offer a more personalized experience to its users. For years, WhatsApp's customization options have been quite limited compared to other platforms, but the company seems determined to change that. Recent leaks suggest the app is developing new chat themes, and most notably, some of them will include animated wallpapers.
According to WABetaInfo, the latest version of WhatsApp for iOS in TestFlight contains references to a feature previously detected in an Android beta. This feature consists of three theme sets called Highlight, Doodle, and Minimalist. The major innovation lies in the first of these categories, which will incorporate animated backgrounds with a subtle and gradual movement for the first time.
What does each category of the new topics offer?
The leaked information indicates that each theme category is designed for a different user profile . The Minimalist option, as its name suggests, focuses on absolute simplicity: a solid white or black background depending on whether light or dark mode is activated. No patterns, no distractions, just the conversation in the foreground. It's the ideal choice for those who prefer a clean and functional look.
Meanwhile, the Doodle category brings back the classic official WhatsApp doodles, those designs that have been part of the app's visual identity for years. It's a proposal that maintains the app's recognizable aesthetic and will appeal to more traditional users who don't want strange experiments.
But the one that has truly captured everyone's attention is the Featured category. These backgrounds incorporate slow, gradual animations that make the screen feel dynamic without the movement competing with the messages. It's not a fast or flashy animation, but a subtle visual effect that aims to bring the background to life without distracting from what's important: the conversation.
Why does WhatsApp limit the speed of animations?
The decision to make animated backgrounds move so slowly is no accident. According to sources who have analyzed the beta code, the speed is deliberately limited for accessibility reasons . Rapid movement could be uncomfortable for some people and make it difficult to read messages. Furthermore, an overly active background would become a constant distraction, the exact opposite of what this feature aims to achieve.
WhatsApp has opted for a balance: the background appears lively, yet remains in the background. The animation is subtle enough not to interfere with the user experience, but it adds a unique touch to the interface. It's a way to add dynamism without compromising the simplicity that characterizes the application.
Chat bubbles will also change
Another important detail is that the color of the speech bubbles will automatically adapt to the selected theme . The app will choose a shade that matches the background and ensures adequate contrast for comfortable reading. This means the user won't have to worry about configuring each element separately, as the system will maintain visual consistency.
However, this automation also comes with a limitation: it won't be possible to customize the bubble color independently of the background. Those who want to change the message balloon color will have to do so manually after selecting the theme, although the app will have already set a default combination.
When might animated backgrounds arrive?
For now, the feature is still under development and isn't even available to beta users . References found in the iOS and Android beta versions indicate that work is progressing in parallel for both platforms, suggesting that the release could happen sooner than many expect. However, WhatsApp hasn't confirmed any specific date.
The company's usual process involves first enabling the feature for beta testers, gathering their feedback, and fixing any bugs before a general rollout. If everything goes according to plan, the new themes could first reach those participating in the testing program and then the rest of the users.
The arrival of these animated backgrounds represents another step in WhatsApp's strategy to expand customization options. Although the app still lags behind other platforms in this area, each update brings the visual experience a little closer to what its competitors offer. And with this new feature, the company demonstrates its willingness to explore new ways for each user to personalize their chats.
In short, the new WhatsApp themes with animated backgrounds represent an interesting evolution in app customization. The combination of the Featured, Doodle, and Minimalist categories offers options for all tastes, from those seeking a clean look to those wanting a dynamic touch. However, we'll have to wait and see if the feature eventually arrives in the stable version and if WhatsApp expands the customization possibilities beyond this initial selection in the future.
