While there’s plenty to love about Google Messages, the lack of chat customization options isn’t one of them. In its current form, the messaging app lets users modify the colors of the chat bubbles and background (RCS only). By contrast, apps like WhatsApp and even Samsung Messages (which is going away soon) offer decent customization options.
It now looks like Google is finally taking note, with the Messages app showing early traces of a customization tool that could boost the messaging experience. Looking at code from a Google Messages beta (messages.android_20260410_02_RC00), the folks at Android Authority have found multiple strings pointing to some visual upgrades.
Unfortunately, the site was unable to get this new option to appear, though the presence of the following strings leaves little to the imagination. As the publication points out, Samsung Messages users are already familiar with some of these customization tools.
<string name="custom_theme_add_photos">Upload photo</string>
<string name="custom_theme_your_photos">Your photos</string>
<string name="custom_theme_preview">Theme Preview</string>
<string name="custom_theme_title">Theme UI</string>
<string name="custom_theme_custom">Custom</string>
<string name="custom_theme_backgrounds">Backgrounds</string>
<string name="custom_theme_bubble_color">Bubble Color</string>
<string name="custom_theme_apply">Apply</string>
A significant visual boost to your chats in Google Messages
The current customization option for RCS chats in Google Messages
Assuming these tools are eventually incorporated into Google Messages, they would (finally) allow users to set a different color for the chat bubble and the background. The potential inclusion of photo uploads also enhances chat customization, something that apps like WhatsApp and the soon-to-be-phased-out Samsung Messages already provide.
Additionally, the mention of “Your photos” in one of the strings is a possible sign that Google Photos may be involved. Users should also be able to preview a theme before settling on it for the chat. This is pretty much everything we know about the upcoming customization option for Google Messages.
Given how early in development this tool appears to be, it’s hard to say when (or if) Google Messages intends to roll it out widely. But we do hope these tools are implemented in Google Messages, particularly given the lack of any real customization options right now.
Aside from these upcoming visual changes, Google Messages has recently rolled out support for a dedicated Trash folder, following its appearance on the beta channel early last month. This is one of those features that probably should have existed from the start, but users of the messaging app will appreciate its arrival now nonetheless.
It’s not all great news for the app, though, as Google is also sunsetting the QR code-based sign-in option, though no specific date was provided.
