Standard SMS messages on Android have long ceased to be boring gray blocks of text. Modern smartphones allow you to completely transform the appearance of chats - from colors to animation effects. But how exactly to do this if there are no obvious options for changing the theme in your phone's settings?

Many users are faced with confusion: some look for settings in the application itself Messages, others try to change the Android system theme, and still others install third-party launchers. In fact, the method depends on what which application exactly you use for correspondence. Standard SMS application from Google, branded shells from Samsung or Xiaomi, as well as instant messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram —each has its own nuances.

In this article we will look at all the current methods for changing themes, including hidden functions that manufacturers do not always advertise. You'll learn how to make chats easier on the eyes, add a dark mode, or even set a custom wallpaper for each contact.

Google's standard Messages app

App Google Messages (previously Android Messages) has become the de facto standard SMS client for most devices. It supports changing themes, but the option is hidden in a non-obvious way.

To change the color scheme:

  1. Open the application Messages.
  2. Tap on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings.
  3. Select Themes (or Design in some versions).
  4. Scroll the list of available colors schemes There are both standard options (Light, Dark, System) and accent colors (Green, Blue, Purple).

Important: in some regions the option Themes may not be available. This is due to the fact that Google is testing functions gradually. If you do not have this option, try updating the application via Google Play or clearing its cache in the settings. phone.

📊 Which SMS application do you use?
Google Messages
Branded (Samsung/Xiaomi/Huawei)
Textra
Other

For users who have few standard options, there is a hidden option to activate experimental themes. To do this:

1. Go to Settings → System → About phone

2. Tap 7 times on "Build number" (activates developer mode)


3. Go back to Settings → System → Developer Options


4. Find the "Enable experimental Messages features" option and activate it


5. Restart the Messages application

⚠️ Warning: Experimental features may not work properly or disappear after updating the application. use them on your work phone if you are afraid of losing important messages.

Branded SMS applications (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei)

Smartphone manufacturers often replace the standard application Messages with their own solutions. Each brand has its own approach to customizing the appearance.

For devices Samsung (application Samsung Messages):

  • 🎨 Open the chat → tap on ⋮ → Settings → Themes. Here you can choose from 5 preset color schemes.
  • 🖼️ To change the chat background: open the dialog → ⋮ → Background chat. Gradients, solid colors and even your own images from the gallery are available.
  • 🌙 Dark mode is turned on automatically when you activate the system dark theme or manually in the application settings.

On smartphones Xiaomi (application MIUI Messages):

  • 🎨 Go in Settings → Themes. There are 3 basic themes available (Light, Dark, Auto) and the ability to download additional ones through MIUI Themes.
  • 🔍 An interesting feature: you can install different themes for different SIM cardsif there are several of them.
  • ⚠️ After updating MIUI to version 14+, some themes may disappear - this is due to the transition to a new design engine.

Owners of Huawei i Honor have access to the most flexible settings in the application Messages:

Function Where it is Features
Color scheme Settings → Themes 8 preset options + the ability to create your own palette
Chat background Open dialogue → ⋮ → Background GIF animations and video as background are supported
Bubble style Settings → Display → Bubbles You can select rounded or rectangular message blocks
Night mode Settings → Display Works regardless of the system theme, with brightness adjustment
⚠️ Attention: On some models Huawei after updating to EMUI 13+, the ability to set a video background for chats disappears. This is due to performance optimization. Try rolling back to the previous version of the application. APK, if the function is critical.

If you use messengers rather than SMS for correspondence, then the customization options there are often wider. Let's look at the most popular applications.

V WhatsApp:

  • 🌓 The dark theme is turned on automatically when the system dark mode is activated. You can manually switch it in ⋮ → Settings → Themes.
  • 🎨 The color of the accents (green by default) cannot be changed - this is a restriction of brand policy.
  • 🖼️ For each chat you can set wallpaper: open the dialog → ⋮ → Wallpaper. Standard patterns or your own photos are available.

In Telegram customization options are much wider:

  • 🎨 ⋮ → Settings → Appearance → select from 5 preset themes or create your own through Create a new theme.
  • 🖌️ Can be changed each interface element: color background, message bubbles, input panel, accent color.
  • 📱 There are separate settings for day and night themes with automatic switching on a schedule.
  • 🔄 Themes can be exported/imported as files .tdesktop-theme and share them with other users.

In Viber theme change is implemented through sticker and wallpaper store:

  • 🛍️ Open any chat → tap on store icon in the bottom menu → select tab Wallpaper.
  • 🎨 Here you can buy premium themes (from 100 rubles) or download free options.
  • 🔄 The color scheme of the application changes only with the Android system theme.

Make a backup copy of chats (in Telegram: Settings → Chat → Export history)

Check the application version (update if necessary)

Close background processes to correctly reload the interface

Take a photo of the current settings if you are afraid of losing your usual look-->

Installing custom themes through third-party applications

If the built-in capabilities are not enough, you can go further and install a completely custom design. This will require special applications and a little technical skills.

The most popular tool is Substratum (root access is required) or its equivalent without root - Hex InstallerThese apps allow you to install themes that change the appearance. system and user applications, including SMS clients.

Instructions for Substratum:

  1. Install Substratum from Google Play (free version with limitations).
  2. Download the theme you like from the section Themes in the application (for example, Swift Black or PitchBlack).
  3. Select topic → check the application box Messages → click Select for installation.
  4. Reboot the phone (required!).

For users without root access suitable Hex Installer:

  • 📥 Install Hex Installer and download a compatible theme.
  • 🔧 In the Hex settings, enable the option Enable for non-root (may require activation via ADB).
  • 🎨 Apply the theme to the application Messages and restart it.
⚠️ Warning: Using custom themes without root may cause the application to become unstable Some features (such as animations) may not display correctly Before installing, please back up important messages via Settings → Backup in the SMS application.

An alternative way is to use launchers with theme supportsuch as Nova Launcher or Action Launcher. do not change the SMS application itself, but allow:

  • 🎨 Apply icons in the style of the selected theme.
  • 🖼️ Change the color of accents in quick settings.
  • 📱 Hide unnecessary interface elements for a minimalistic look.

Creating your own unique theme

If none of the proposed options suits you, you can develop your own theme. To do this, you will need basic skills in working with graphic editors and an understanding of the structure of themes.

For Telegram the process is most suitable. simple:

  1. Go to Settings → Appearance → Create a new theme.
  2. Select a basic template (Day or Night).
  3. Customize each element:
    • 🎨 Background color (primary and secondary)
    • 💬 Color bubbles (incoming/outgoing messages)
    • 📝 Text color and links
    • 🔍 Scrollbar color and indicators
  • Save the theme and apply it.

    • For To create themes for Android Messages or branded SMS applications you will need:

    1. Install Textra SMS (supports custom themes).
    2. Download a theme template in format .txt from the developer's website.
    3. Edit colors in HEX format (for example #FF5722 for orange).
    4. Import the file back to Textra via Settings → Themes → Import.

    Important: The Google Messages app has an undocumented ability to import themes via ADB. To do this, you need to send a command adb shell am broadcast -a com.google.android.apps.messaging.THEME_IMPORT -e uri file:///sdcard/theme_file.jsonwhere theme_file.json is your theme file in a special format. This method requires technical knowledge and can break the application if there is an error.

    Solving problems when changing themes

    Sometimes after changing the theme, problems arise: the application slows down, colors do not display correctly, or settings are reset. Here's how to deal with it.

    Problem 1: The dark theme does not turn on automatically.

    • 🔍 Check whether the system dark mode is activated. in Settings → Display → Dark theme.
    • 🔄 In the SMS application settings, find the option Follow system theme and turn it on.
    • 📱 On some Xiaomi you need to additionally enable Auto-switching themes in Theme settings.

    Problem 2: Colors in the chat are displayed crookedly (for example, black text on a dark background).

    • 🎨 Try resetting the theme to the standard one and applying it again.
    • 🔧 Manually select contrasting colors in the settings (for example, for a dark theme, use light gray text #E0E0E0).
    • 📲 If the problem is Telegram, check the settings of a specific chat - the text color may be overridden there.

    Problem 3: After updating the application, the theme was reset.

    • 🔄 Export your themes regularly (in Telegram this is done through Settings → Appearance → Export).
    • 📥 Before updating, check the reviews in Google Play - if other users complain about resetting themes, postpone update.
    • 🛠️ For Samsung Messages you can roll back the version via APK (download the old version from APKMirror).
    ⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 14+ Google has tightened its theme policy. Some applications (for example, Textra) may lose access to changing system colors. If, after updating Android, the themes are no longer used, check the permissions for the application in Settings → Applications → Special access.

    Additional features for customization

    In addition to changing colors, you can make chats even more convenient using little-known functions.

    In Google Messages:

    • 👤 Individual wallpaper for contacts: open the chat → ⋮ → Details → Change background. You can assign a unique image for each interlocutor.
    • 🔍 Mode "For the visually impaired": in the settings there is an option to increase the font and contrast (Settings → Accessibility).
    • 🎵 Sound themes: in Settings → Notifications you can assign different ringtones to different contacts.

    In Samsung Messages:

    • 📊 Correspondence statistics: in chat information the number of messages, media files and even the “most active days” is shown.
    • 🔒 Protected folders: you can hide individual chats behind a PIN code (Settings → Privacy).
    • 🎭 Avatars for contacts: automatically pulled from Samsung Account or social networks.

    In Telegram:

    • 🎨 Animated themes: some custom themes support smooth color transitions and animations when scrolling.
    • 📁 Local folders: you can create separate folders for work, personal and spam chats with different designs.
    • 🤖 Bots for generating themes: for example, @ThemeGeneratorBot creates themes based on your photos.
    How to return the standard theme if everything went wrong?

    If after experimenting with themes the application begins to work incorrectly:

    1 Clear the application cache in Settings → Applications → Messages → Memory → Clear cache

    2. Reset the settings to standard (usually there is an option "Reset theme" or "Default")

    3. Reinstall the application (uninstall updates if it is system software)

    4. /Telegram/Telegram Themes in internal memory

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about changing themes

    Is it possible to set a theme for only one chat, and not for all?

    Yes, but not in all applications. data-i="310">You can assign a unique background to each conversation via the chat menu. Google Messages And Samsung Messages You can assign a unique background for each dialogue through the chat menu. IN Telegram The theme applies to the entire application, but you can create a separate folder with a different design.

    In WhatsApp Custom settings are only available for the chat wallpaper, but not for the color scheme.

    Why did my theme reset after updating Android?

    This is due to the fact that new OS versions can change the structure of storing settings. This happens especially often when switching to a new version of the shell (for example, from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14).

    To avoid losing settings:

    • Regularly export topics (in Telegram this is done manually).
    • Before a major update, make a backup via Settings → System → Backup.
    • Use a cloud backup (in Google Messages this is Settings → Backup and reset).
    Is there a way to make a gradient theme in SMS?

    In standard applications there is no such function, but there are workarounds:

    • B Telegram you can create a theme with a gradient through the editor (select two colors and enable option "Gradient").
    • Gradients for chat backgrounds are supported (there is an option in the theme settings Textra SMS Gradients are supported for chat backgrounds (there is an option in the theme settings Gradient Background).
    • For Google Messages you will have to use custom themes via Substratum or ADB (see section above).

    On Samsung gradients are available in the standard chat background settings.

    Is it possible to make the theme change automatically depending on the time of day?

    Yes, but the implementation depends on the application:

    • Telegram: in the theme settings there is an option Automatic switchwhere you can set a schedule.
    • Android 10+: activate the system dark mode on a schedule (Settings → Display → Dark theme → Scheduled). Most SMS apps will follow system settings.
    • Samsung Messages: supports automatic switching depending on the time of day (the setting is hidden in Settings → Themes → Schedule).

    In WhatsApp and Viber automatic switching works only when linked to the system theme.

    Where to download beautiful themes for SMS?

    Sources depend on the application:

    • Telegram:
      • Official catalog in the application (Settings → Appearance → Theme catalog).
      • Sites like @themes in Telegram.
      • Repositories on GitHub (search by request tdesktop-theme).
    • Textra SMS:
    • Google Messages:
      • Topics in JSON format can be found on Reddit (community r/GoogleMessages).
      • Site messages.google.com sometimes publishes official collections.
    ⚠️ Attention: Download themes only from trusted sources. Files in the format .apk or .exe, posing as themes, may contain malicious code.