The WhatsApp development team has released a Windows beta that introduces a new option to set a wallpaper inside chat threads. This enhancement, highlighted by WABetaInfo, appears in the beta release and could enrich the chat experience by adding a personal touch to conversations.
People who want to experiment with a wallpaper background should download WhatsApp for Windows in this beta form, version 2.2316.2.0, from the Microsoft Store. After installation, applying the new look is simple: open the app’s settings, go to Personalization, and select one of 15 color options as a chat background. The chosen color is applied across chats in the interface, giving conversations a more distinctive appearance without changing the core messaging functionality.
As with many early-stage features, this beta comes with limitations. The selected background color affects all chats universally, and the option to upload personal photos or other images as wallpaper is not yet enabled. In other words, users cannot personalize each chat with a unique image at this time; the feature currently centers on color-based backdrops rather than image-based customization.
WABetaInfo notes that the 2.2316.2.0 beta is being rolled out to a limited set of regions for now. The staged release helps monitor performance, gather feedback, and ensure stability before a broader global rollout. If testing proves successful, a wider release is expected in the coming weeks or months, depending on user response and technical readiness.
Another publication, previously known as socialbites.ca, reported that the WhatsApp for Windows version 2.2316.2.0 includes a feature that lets users listen to voice messages outside the chat context. This adds convenience for quick access to audio notes without opening the entire conversation. While such reports reflect ongoing discussions around the beta, the primary confirmed elements remain the wallpaper customization and its current limitations. As developments continue, more details on feature scope and availability are anticipated to unfold across regions and platforms.
In broad terms, the beta marks WhatsApp’s continued experimentation with interface personalization on desktop. Early adopters can look forward to a consistent chat backdrop across conversations, with room for future enhancements that might include per-chat image wallpapers or refined customization controls. The company’s approach is to test, observe user feedback, and iterate, aiming to deliver a stable, user-friendly experience that complements messaging without introducing visual clutter. The landscape of desktop messaging continues to evolve as users increasingly seek ways to tailor apps to their personal workflows and aesthetic preferences. In this ongoing journey, the beta’s wallpaper feature represents a small but meaningful step toward greater user autonomy in WhatsApp on Windows.