Android

How to change a WhatsApp chat theme and wallpaper (Pixel, v2.26)

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Published 25 October 2026 · Checked October 2026

Device: Google Pixel 10a · Software: Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005), WhatsApp 2.26.41.77

Publisher: Saadat Rafiq

1 min read3 steps

Screenshot from the guide: How to change a WhatsApp chat theme and wallpaper (Pixel, v2.26)

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-change-the-whatsapp-chat-theme-and-wallpaper-on-android/ · Checked October 2026 · Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005), WhatsApp 2.26.41.77

In this guide
  1. Open the chat and tap the three dots
  2. Tap Chat theme
  3. Pick a theme
  4. If you do not see this option
  5. If this does not work
  6. Good to know
  7. Sources
Quick answer

Open the chat, tap the three dots, then Chat theme, and pick a theme: it changes the chat bubble and wallpaper together. Chat bubble and Wallpaper below it change them separately. WhatsApp 2.26.41.77 on our Pixel 10a had no theme or wallpaper row in Settings, Chats.

3 of 3 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device
Android
Shown on
Google Pixel 10a, Android 17 (build CP3A.261005.005), WhatsApp 2.26.41.77
App
WhatsApp
Real screenshots
3 of 3 steps
Checked
October 2026
Sources
1 official, linked below

Step by step

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Steps
Also include
  1. Android screenshot: Open the chat and tap the three dots

    Open the chat and tap the three dots

    They are at the top right of the chat.

  2. Android screenshot: Tap Chat theme

    Tap Chat theme

    Below Disappearing messages in the chat menu.

  3. Android screenshot: Pick a theme

    Pick a theme

    Themes shows the current one ticked, Create with AI and preset themes. The page says: The chat bubble and wallpaper will both change. Chat bubble and Wallpaper under Customise change one at a time.

If you do not see this option

  • Looked in Settings, Chats? Ours had no theme or wallpaper row there: Chat settings starts with Enter is send, Media visibility and Font size.
    Android screenshot: Chat settings
  • Same theme for every chat? WhatsApp's help says Settings, Appearance, Default chat theme. We did not check that path on this version. Source: How to change your app or chat theme

If this does not work

About this guide

On this version, themes are set per chat from the chat's own menu.

The screenshots are from our Google Pixel 10a with Android 17 and WhatsApp 2.26.41.77, in Dark mode, taken on 25 October 2026. We opened Chat theme and did not change it.

Good to know

To change WhatsApp's language, open Settings, App language; see also WhatsApp notification sounds.

In short: Chat, three dots, Chat theme, pick.

Sources

Links checked in October 2026. Menus and features can change after software updates. These steps match the version named at the top.

📷 See real photos from the Pixel 10a in our Camera Lab, next to 10 other phones.

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