WhatsApp Web Gets 49 New Chat Themes — Plus a Username Feature That Changes How You Connect
Meta is testing the biggest visual customisation update to WhatsApp Web in years — 49 colour presets, per-chat themes, and a long-awaited username privacy feature. Here’s every confirmed detail.
WhatsApp Web has long been the neglected sibling in the WhatsApp family. While mobile users have enjoyed colour-customised chats, rich wallpapers, and visual personalisation for years, desktop users have been stuck with a choice between light mode and dark mode — that’s it. Two options. For a platform used by over 3 billion people globally.
That is about to change. According to details published by WABetaInfo — the leading source for real-time WhatsApp beta tracking — Meta is developing a comprehensive chat themes system for WhatsApp Web, bringing up to 49 visual presets to the browser-based client. Separately, WhatsApp has also begun a phased rollout of its long-awaited username feature, which began a limited beta in April 2026 with a full global rollout expected in June 2026.
1. What Is Actually Being Tested
2. The 49 Themes: What They Actually Include
The 49 options are not 49 entirely distinct colours. WhatsApp has structured the palette with multiple shades and tonal variants within each colour family — giving users fine-grained control rather than just broad colour picks.
For example, within the blue colour family alone, WABetaInfo confirmed the following named variants are in testing:
| Colour Family | Named Variants (Confirmed by WABetaInfo) |
|---|---|
| Blue | Default Blue · Default Blue Tonal · Default Blue Minimal · Sky Blue · Sky Blue Tonal · Royal Blue · Royal Blue Tonal |
| Green | Multiple shades including tonal and minimal variants |
| Warm / Sunset tones | Soft pastels to bold warm shades including reported “Sunset” theme |
| Deep / Dark tones | Including reported “Persian Plum” and similar deep options |
| Default (included in 49) | The existing WhatsApp default — counted within the 49 total |
Hover over any swatch. Exact final theme names and colours will be confirmed on official launch.
“There are several blue themes available. These include Default Blue, Default Blue Tonal, Default Blue Minimal, Sky Blue, Sky Blue Tonal, Royal Blue, and Royal Blue Tonal. Users might like Default Blue, but feel that it does not fully match their preference. In that case, they could find that Default Blue Tonal offers the perfect balance they were looking for.”
— WABetaInfo, official report on WhatsApp Web Chat Themes, April 20263. How It Works: Global Default vs Per-Chat Themes
| Setting Level | What It Controls | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| Global Default Theme | Sets a default visual style applied across all chats in WhatsApp Web | WhatsApp Web → Page Settings → Theme |
| Per-Chat Theme | Overrides the global theme for an individual conversation. Different contacts and groups can each have unique themes | Individual chat → Chat Settings |
| Bubble Colour | Changed automatically when a theme is selected — you do not set bubble colour separately | Controlled by theme preset |
| Wallpaper | Adjusts automatically to complement the selected theme — coordinated, not separate | Controlled by theme preset |
| Visibility to others | None — themes are entirely local to the user who applies them | Private by design |
| Cross-device sync | Whether themes sync to the mobile app is currently unconfirmed by Meta | Details not yet released |
4. What WhatsApp Web Currently Offers (and Why This Matters)
Understanding the gap helps contextualise why this update is significant.
| Customisation Feature | Mobile (Android / iOS) | WhatsApp Web (Today) | WhatsApp Web (After Update) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chat colour themes | Yes | No | Yes — 49 options |
| Message bubble colour | Yes | No | Yes — via theme preset |
| Wallpaper customisation | Yes | Yes (default only) | Yes — coordinated with theme |
| Doodle overlays | Yes | Yes | Yes (existing) |
| Per-chat customisation | Yes | No | Yes |
| Dark mode | Yes | Yes | Yes (existing) |
5. Username Feature: The Bigger Privacy Update Coming in 2026
Alongside the themes update, WhatsApp has begun a phased rollout of one of its most significant privacy changes in years: usernames. This feature allows users to connect with others without sharing their phone numbers.
The limited beta for usernames started in April 2026 on Android and iOS. Full global rollout is expected in June 2026.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Find a user | Search the @username in WhatsApp’s search bar — no phone number needed |
| End-to-end encryption | Messages via username remain fully end-to-end encrypted, same as number-based chats |
| Works on WhatsApp Web | Yes — the April 2026 update synchronises username settings across all linked devices including Web and desktop apps |
| Calls without phone number | Voice and video calls can be initiated via username — phone number not required for the call |
| Visibility to current contacts | Existing contacts who have your number saved will still see your number. Username is for new connections. |
| India relevance | India has 500 million+ WhatsApp users — this is one of the most significant privacy improvements for the platform in this market |
| Limited beta start | April 2026 — check WhatsApp → Settings → Profile for username field |
| Full global rollout expected | June 2026 |
6. Release Timeline: What to Expect and When
7. Practical Tips for WhatsApp Users Right Now
- Check Settings → Profile now for the username field. The username beta started in April 2026 for a limited number of users. If the option is visible in your profile settings, your account has early access. If it is not there yet, the rollout has not reached you — no app reinstall will help.
- Think about your preferred username now. Once the feature launches globally, usernames are claimed on a first-come basis across Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp). If you have a name you want, checking whether it is already taken on Instagram or Facebook is a useful first step.
- Enable the optional username key for added privacy. When the username feature reaches your account, the 4-digit key is optional but recommended for anyone who wants to control who can initiate contact. Without it, anyone who knows your username can message you directly.
- For themes — watch the Settings menu on WhatsApp Web. The theme feature will appear in Settings → Theme when it rolls out. There is no separate app to install. Keep WhatsApp Web updated via your browser.
- Use per-chat themes to visually organise your inbox. Once available, consider assigning consistent colour themes to categories of chats — e.g., a specific colour for work group chats, another for family, another for close friends. It improves at-a-glance navigation without requiring you to read chat names.
- Businesses using the WhatsApp API: begin technical preparation now. The June 2026 deadline for username and BSUID support is approaching. WhatsApp has updated developer documentation. CRM systems that use phone numbers as primary identifiers will need updates before that deadline.
