- Why WhatsApp can't change your keyboard colours
- Change the theme in Gboard
- Change the theme in Samsung Keyboard
- What about iPhone?
- A safety note about keyboard apps
- The WhatsApp chat theme and wallpaper
- Which setting changes what
- Small keyboard tweaks worth a look
- Keyboard theme not showing up?
- Frequently asked questions
WhatsApp doesn't have a keyboard of its own, so you change the keyboard theme in your phone's keyboard app. On most Android phones that means Gboard settings, then Theme, or Samsung Keyboard settings, then Theme. If what you want is a different look for the chat itself, that's a separate setting inside WhatsApp under Chats.
That's the bit that confuses most people. The keys you tap while typing in WhatsApp belong to your phone. The chat background, the bubble colours and the wallpaper belong to WhatsApp. Two different places, two different menus.
Below you'll find the steps for Gboard, Samsung Keyboard and iPhone, then the WhatsApp chat theme and wallpaper for anyone who really meant that. If you're after the typing side of things, my guide to WhatsApp keyboard settings on Android goes deeper.
Why WhatsApp can't change your keyboard colours
When you tap a message box in WhatsApp, Android or iOS brings up whichever keyboard you've chosen on the phone. WhatsApp just receives the letters. That's why searching inside WhatsApp's settings for a keyboard colour finds nothing.
It also means the theme you pick will follow you into every app: Messages, Chrome, Instagram, all of it. Change it once and it's done everywhere.
Change the theme in Gboard
Gboard is the keyboard that comes with many Android phones, and it's free from the Play Store if yours doesn't have it. These are the steps:
- Open any app with a text box, such as WhatsApp, so the keyboard appears.
- Tap the settings gear on the keyboard's top row. If you don't see it, tap the small arrow or the four-square icon first.
- If the gear isn't there, go the long way: phone Settings, then System, then Languages and input, then On-screen keyboard, then Gboard.
- Tap Theme.
- Pick a colour, a gradient, a scenery picture or your own photo.
- Tap Apply.
A plain colour theme is easiest to read. If you choose a photo, check that the letters still stand out in bright sunlight, because a busy picture makes typing slower. Gboard also lets you switch key borders on or off, so try that if the keys blur together.
Change the theme in Samsung Keyboard
Galaxy phones use Samsung Keyboard by default. The names shift between One UI versions, so treat these as a map rather than a script:
- Open phone Settings.
- Tap General management.
- Tap Samsung Keyboard settings.
- Tap Theme. On some versions you'll see Keyboard themes or a high contrast keyboard option instead.
- Choose a theme and confirm.
The high contrast option is worth a look if you find the normal keys hard to see. It changes how the keys look rather than what they do.
What about iPhone?
The built-in iPhone keyboard has no colour themes. It only switches between light and dark, and it follows your phone's appearance setting. Turn on Dark Mode in your iPhone settings and the keyboard goes dark when the app asks for it. That's the whole story for Apple's own keyboard.
You can install a third-party keyboard from the App Store if you want more choice, but read the next section first.
A safety note about keyboard apps
A keyboard sees every letter you type. That includes messages, search words and, in the wrong hands, passwords. So I'd only install a keyboard from a well-known company with a clear privacy policy. Skip anything that asks for "full access" without a good reason, and don't install one just because it promises glittery themes.
If you use more than one language, for example typing in Hindi or Marathi, you don't need a risky app to do it. There's a clean walk-through in my Marathi keyboard setup for WhatsApp.
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The WhatsApp chat theme and wallpaper
Plenty of people searching for this mean the chat background and bubble colours. That one is inside WhatsApp:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
- Tap Chats.
- Tap Theme to switch between light, dark or the system setting, or tap Wallpaper to choose a background.
- In newer versions you may see Chat theme, where you can pick an accent colour for the bubbles too.
- Choose what you like and set it.
You can also change the wallpaper for a single chat. Open the chat, tap the contact's name at the top, and look for Wallpaper and sound. Menu names change between versions, so if one looks different on your phone, search WhatsApp's settings for the word Wallpaper or Theme.
Which setting changes what
| What you want to change | Where to find it | Changes WhatsApp only? |
|---|---|---|
| Key colours and keyboard background | Gboard or Samsung Keyboard settings, then Theme | No, it changes every app |
| Light or dark keyboard on iPhone | iPhone appearance setting (Light or Dark) | No, it follows the system |
| Chat background picture | WhatsApp Settings, then Chats, then Wallpaper | Yes |
| Light or dark WhatsApp | WhatsApp Settings, then Chats, then Theme | Yes |
| Bubble accent colour | WhatsApp Settings, then Chats, then Chat theme (newer versions) | Yes |
Small keyboard tweaks worth a look
While you're already in the keyboard settings, it's worth scrolling through the rest of the options. You'll often find things that make typing nicer than any theme does:
- Key borders, so each letter sits in its own box and is easier to hit.
- Keyboard height, if your thumbs keep landing between rows.
- Sound and vibration on key press, which you may want off in meetings.
- A one-handed mode, handy on a big phone when you're holding a bag or a rail on the train.
Not every phone offers all four, and the names vary. If you can't see one, search the keyboard settings for the key word, such as Height or Vibration.
Keyboard theme not showing up?
If you applied a theme and nothing changed, try these in order. First, close the keyboard and reopen it by tapping a text box again. Second, check that the keyboard you edited is the one in use. Some phones have Gboard and Samsung Keyboard installed side by side, and it's easy to theme the one you aren't using. Third, restart the phone. It sounds basic, but it clears most small display glitches.
Still stuck on WhatsApp itself? My WhatsApp help guide covers the other settings people ask about most.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the keyboard colour inside WhatsApp?
No. WhatsApp uses your phone's keyboard, so you change the colour in the keyboard's own settings, such as Gboard or Samsung Keyboard. WhatsApp only controls the chat theme and wallpaper.
How do I get a dark keyboard for WhatsApp?
On iPhone, switch your phone to Dark Mode and the keyboard follows. On Android, choose a dark colour in your keyboard's Theme settings, or use your phone's dark theme if the keyboard supports it.
Is it safe to download a keyboard theme app?
Only if you trust the company behind it. A keyboard can see everything you type, so stick to well-known keyboards and be careful with any app asking for extra permissions.
Why can't I find Theme in my keyboard settings?
Menu names differ between phone brands and versions. Search your phone's settings for the word Keyboard, open the keyboard in use, and look for Theme, Design or Appearance.
