How to Remove a Theme to Default in Messenger

Lee Stanton June 7, 2023

Customizing your Messenger chats can add some spice to a simple, white background. Messenger lets you pick from different themes, colors, and gradients. All of which can be fun ways to personalize your chats.

How to Remove a Theme to Default in Messenger

But what about changing the theme back to the default option? This article will show you how to remove a theme in Messenger.

Reverting the Theme to the Default Setting on Desktop

If you’ve picked a color theme you wish to change, here are some steps to choose the default color:

Open Messenger on desktop.
From “Chats,” choose the conversation you want to change.
Select “Change Theme.”
Choose the “Classic” blue color theme (the seventh color from the back).
Select “Save” at the bottom.

Keep in mind that you can’t see the preview of the theme on desktop. As such, it can be difficult to identify the original color. You can scroll down and look for the solid blue color.

Reverting the Theme to the Default Setting in the App

If you’re using the Messenger app on your phone, here’s how you can change the theme back to the original:

Launch the Messenger app.
From “Chats,” pick the conversation you want to change.
Tap on the chat name at the top.
Select “Theme.”
Scroll down to “Colors and gradients.”
Pick the “Classic” blue theme (the seventh color from the back).
Tap “Select.”

While using the Messenger app on your phone, you’ll be able to preview the theme before selecting it, as opposed to the desktop app.

Dark Mode vs. Themes

There is a difference between the dark mode and the themes in Messenger. Themes include colors and gradients that differ from chat to chat, and change only the chat’s background.

Dark mode changes your entire app’s appearance. You can choose dark mode to change from white to black. This will also change the themes you’ve picked to darker colors that have similar effects and images.

Turning on the Dark Mode on Desktop

When you turn on the dark mode in Messenger on desktop, the entire system will have a black background with white letters. Some users prefer this mode as it’s easier on the eyes than the bright white mode. It also changes the themes you’ve picked, giving them a different, darker appearance.

Here’s how you can turn on dark mode in Messenger on desktop:

While on Facebook, go to your “Account” in the upper right corner of the screen.
Select “Display and accessibility.”
Find “Dark Mode.”
Select “Dark Mode” on.

You can also choose the automatic option, for adjusting the display color based on your computer’s system settings. This means that when your computer system is in dark mode, the Messenger will have the same setting automatically.

Turning on the Dark Mode in the Messenger App

Similar to turning on the dark mode on desktop, you can change your whole Messenger app to a dark theme. This includes the chat, as well as other sections of the application.

Here’s how to turn on the dark mode in the Messenger app:

Launch the Messenger app on your phone.
Tap the “Menu” button on top left corner.
Select “Settings.”
Tap “Dark Mode” and turn it on.

Select “System” in the same settings to automatically adjust your app’s appearance based on your system settings.

Monochrome Theme

While changing your theme in Messenger, you might stumble upon the monochrome theme. It’s important to note that this isn’t the default theme and you aren’t removing your previous color by selecting it.

When you select this color, the chat will have a white background with gray text bubbles. Although it may look like it, this isn’t the default theme. The classic theme should have a white background with blue text bubbles.

Word Effects Added With Themes

When you pick certain themes, they have word effects. This means that when you type a certain keyword in the chat, the word will be sent in a different way than other words. For example, when you choose the astrology theme in Messenger, words like “zodiac,” “horoscope,” “cosmos,” will have an effect with corresponding emojis when you send them.

Word effects are available in the mobile app. This is how you can check which words have effects in Messenger:

Go to “Chats.”
Tap “View Profile.”
Tap “Word effects.”
See which words work for word effects.
Type that word in the chat and it will have a special effect.

Different words work with different themes, so check out what they are by changing the theme, repeating the steps above, and having fun seeing the different effects.

Choosing Your Own Words for Word Effects

If the theme you’ve chosen doesn’t have words or phrases that are sent with effects, you can write your own. This is a really fun way to make a chat more personal with your friends, family, and colleagues.

Here’s how to add your own words and phrases that have special effects in the app:

Go to “Chats.”
Tap “View Profile.”
Tap “Word effects.”
Type in a word or a phrase that you want.
Tap the emoji on the left.
Choose an emoji to go with the word.
Tap the arrow on the right.

Now, every time you or the other person in the chat types the word or phrase you’ve selected, they will have effects. Both of you will see the emoji you’ve picked appear over the entire screen. Anyone in the chat can use, add, or delete these word effects.

Does Deleting the Chat Revert the Theme?

You might be tempted to simply delete the chat to quickly change the theme. If you do so, it may appear as if the theme is back to the default blue. But this isn’t the answer to your question. You can check by sending a message to the chat. You’ll immediately see the old theme that was selected before you deleted the conversation.

All of the previous settings, like word effects and the theme, will restore once you send a message. You can always change the theme back to default classic, by following the steps mentioned above.

Have Fun or go Back to Basics

You can play with customizing your chats with various themes, colors, gradients, and word effects. There are numerous combinations, and you can set each chat with an individual theme. But if you’ve opted to go back to the original theme, you can follow the steps we’ve discussed.

Do you use different themes in Messenger? Do you prefer the classic blue theme? Let us know in the comments section below.