Google Messages is edging closer to the kind of personalization many Android users have wanted for a long time. Hidden code found in the latest beta version points to custom chat wallpapers, suggesting the feature is already nearing launch.
The new option appears to sit inside a thread’s overflow menu, where users would open Chat Themes to choose both a color and a matching background. That means chat appearance would no longer depend on theme colors alone.
The wallpaper selection itself is expected to go beyond a single default look. Android Authority says Google is preparing several built-in backgrounds, including designs with art and space themes.
Users are also expected to be able to pick an image from their own gallery. That would make it possible to place a partner’s photo, family picture, or pet image behind a conversation, giving each thread a more personal feel.
A more flexible chat setup
This change gives Google Messages a wider set of visual options than simple color themes. It also brings a more practical layer of customization, since users could make important conversations easier to identify at a glance.
If the selected look does not feel right, Google is also said to be preparing a way to reset the chosen settings. That adds another level of control for users who like to experiment without committing to one style.
The feature has not been activated for users yet, but the code trail has been visible for about a month. That suggests Google may be getting ready to test it with beta users soon, even though the timetable for a broader rollout is still unclear.
Why the timing matters for Samsung users
The arrival of custom wallpapers in Google Messages comes at a notable moment for Samsung owners. Samsung Messages is set to be discontinued in July, and many users who were used to wallpaper support in that app are now looking for a replacement.
For a large number of Galaxy users, Google Messages is already the default messaging app. Samsung Messages is also said to no longer be downloadable on the S26, which could make the move feel even more natural for users who do not want to lose personalization features.
That gives Google Messages a clear opportunity to become the new home for everyday chats on Samsung phones. The addition of wallpaper customization could help soften concerns about losing a feature that some users relied on in Samsung’s own messaging app.
Keeping pace with other messaging apps
The update also helps Google Messages close part of the gap with apps that have offered personalization for longer. WhatsApp and Signal already give users some level of visual customization, and Google’s new move brings Messages closer to that experience.
Custom wallpapers can also serve a practical purpose beyond appearance. They may help users spot favorite contacts or important threads more easily when notifications come in.
Third-party apps such as Textra and Pulse SMS have offered wallpaper support and other customization tools for years. Even so, Google Messages remains the most important option on Android because it provides the broadest path to RCS support.
For users who want more personality without giving up core Android messaging compatibility, the new wallpaper feature could make Google Messages feel like a stronger default choice.
