WhatsApp is finally catching up with user demands for personalization. The messaging giant is testing new customization options that will let you change your app’s icon, theme color, and overall appearance on Android devices. Here’s everything you should know about these upcoming features and whether they’re worth the wait.
What’s Actually Changing
For years, WhatsApp has stuck to its signature green branding with minimal room for personalization. That’s about to change. The latest Android beta version reveals two major customization options:
Custom App Icons: You’ll get access to 14 different icon styles for your home screen. These include monochromatic variants in colors like blue, green, brown, and pink, plus special themed designs such as Aurora, Galaxy, Clay, Fluffy, Sparkle, and Neon. There are also metallic-style options like Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze for those who prefer a more premium look.
Theme and Accent Colors: The app will offer roughly 19 preset color options to replace WhatsApp’s traditional green branding. You can choose from shades like royal blue, violet, coral, teal, and burgundy, along with gray/black and honey options. When you pick a color, it changes the main branding elements throughout the app, including icons, headers, and chat bubbles.
How It Works
The customization process is straightforward. WhatsApp is adding a new “Customization” or “Themes / Customization” section in Settings, placed alongside the existing emoji and wallpaper options.
To change your app icon, you’ll tap the “App icon” option and select from the available styles. Your home screen icon updates instantly. For theme colors, you’ll navigate to the “Accent color / Application theme” section and pick from the 19 available colors, which immediately changes the app’s color scheme across all screens.
The best part? These changes sync with your WhatsApp account. If you switch to another device, your chosen icon and color preferences may carry over, though there’s likely to be a “Use system default” reset option available.
The Catch: Premium Subscription
Here’s where things get less exciting. While basic icon and color switching might be available to all users, reports suggest that the full range of customization options, including exclusive icon styles and color packs, may be locked behind a WhatsApp Premium subscription. This would be accessed through a monthly paid plan, while core messaging features remain free.
Currently, the feature is only visible in the WhatsApp Beta for Android and is marked for a future regular update. It’s not live for everyone yet, even among beta testers.
System Requirements
To use these customization features when they launch, your device needs to meet WhatsApp’s existing requirements. For Android users, that means running Android 8.0 or higher with recent updates. The feature requires at least 1-2 GB of RAM plus a relatively modern CPU, though since it only affects visual elements and theme colors, it should run smoothly on most current devices.
The customization will roll out first on Android via the WhatsApp Beta channel, then move to regular Android and iOS updates once stable.
Should You Care?
If you’re someone who loves personalizing your phone’s appearance, these features are a welcome addition. Being able to match your WhatsApp icon to your home screen aesthetic or switch the app’s green to your favorite color adds a nice personal touch.
However, if customization potentially requires a premium subscription, you’ll need to decide if changing colors and icons is worth paying for. Many users might find the default green perfectly fine, especially if the subscription bundles features they don’t need.
WhatsApp’s customization features represent a significant shift toward user personalization, but the execution matters. If the best icons and colors end up behind a paywall, it might feel like a missed opportunity to give users what they’ve been asking for. For now, Android beta users can test the waters, while everyone else should wait to see how WhatsApp prices and packages these options in the final release.
The features are well-designed and easy to use, but whether they’re essential depends on how much you value aesthetic customization versus functionality. Keep an eye on official WhatsApp announcements for launch dates and pricing details.