Google Messages chat themes receive mixed reception in Android Authority reader poll
Android Authority readers are split over Google Messages chat themes; nearly 70% are open to trying them and 31% say they won't.
According to Android Authority, columnist Joe Maring tested the feature and ran a poll asking readers if they were looking forward to trying it. Chat themes allow a user to change conversation colors, choose one of Google's preset wallpapers or pick their own image. Themes apply to RCS chats and appear only on the user's side of the conversation, so other participants cannot see the change.
More than 2,500 readers voted. About 36% said they had long waited for chat themes; 33% were unsure but planned to try them; and just over 31% said they would never use the feature. The publication wrote that the result means nearly 70% of voters are either enthusiastic or willing to try, but the feature was not universally sought after. For readers who said they would not use it, the reason could be that they prefer other messaging apps or text rarely; in many countries text messages are used mainly for delivery alerts and one-time passwords.
In the comments, reactions also varied. A reader identified as Kennyg357 said themes were "working and looking great" on a Galaxy Z Fold 6 and welcomed having the option on Android. User Shear.it.up said they wanted more control, including applying a theme to every contact at once and choosing bubble colors. Another reader, Toddster1111, called the feature "meaningless window dressing."
Several readers reported problems. One said they could not set up a theme after two days of trying, and others said Messages froze when entering or leaving the theme picker. Android Authority said Google acknowledged the issues, explaining that availability "may fluctuate" while it optimizes the rollout and that it is looking into reports of latency and freezing.