WhatsApp Testing to Bring Back Blue Read Receipts on iOS and Android Across All Chat Themes: What It Means for You

WhatsApp is always known for bringing small but meaningful tweaks and changes that improve the way people chat and interact in the app. In a new report, WhatsApp is testing read receipts, the checkmarks that show whether a message has been seen or not.

To recall, WhatsApp introduced the blue checkmarks as a universal sign that a message has been read or not. Nevertheless, in certain chat themes, the tech giant has changed the color to white, and hence, leaving the users confused.

Now, in a new beta update for both Android and iOS, WhatsApp is returning to blue checkmarks across all themes.

WhatsApp Read Receipt New Update

WhatsApp introduced white read receipts in some themes with the idea to blend better with the background colors of chat bubbles. However, this created a problem for users because the delivered messages used gray checkmarks, and the shift from gray to white made it harder to quickly recognize whether a message was delivered or actually read.

Many users reported difficulty spotting the difference, especially in fast-paced conversations.

WhatsApp Listen Feedback

WhatsApp also has a habit of adjusting features based on user feedback, and adjusting the color of the read receipts is another example of this. If WhatsApp restores blue read receipts across all chat themes, the app will ensure the distinction between delivered and read messages is clear.

Gray still means delivered, while blue once again means read, making the chat experience more intuitive.

The Feature is Still in Beta Testing

The feature is currently visible to some beta testers on Android and iOS. The wider rollout will be based on how users react to it. The instant-messaging app is currently monitoring the feedback to see if blue checkmarks are working fine.

What This Means for Users

For most users, this shift might feel small, but it plays a big role in making chats more accessible and easy to follow. By simplifying how read receipts look, WhatsApp reduces confusion while still allowing people to enjoy the personalization of custom themes. The final decision will depend on how well this test performs, but for now, it seems like blue is back to stay.