After a while, the long-awaited emoji reactions will be rolled out on WhatsApp. Many beta testers can already test the feature – but so far only on Android smartphones.
This function is already part of everyday life on Twitter, Instagram and Microsoft Teams: With an emoji you can tell the author of a message what you think of the latter.
As “WABetaInfo” reports, the function is currently being rolled out to the first WhatsApp users. Android beta users will be provided with it first. As usual from the competition, the reactions appear on the lower right edge of the message. Until recently, it was thought that you could respond with six different emojis: a thumbs up, a heart, a laughing emoji, a surprised emoji, a crying emoji, and two clasped hands.
As can be seen in the beta versions, the function will probably be much more extensive. In the latest test version, there is a + button in addition to the six default emojis. You can use this to select additional emojis. It is currently not known whether this is a predefined selection or even all available emojis.
WhatsApp: Further steps for the emoji function announced
It is not known when the new function will also land on iOS devices in the WhatsApp beta. Normally the time interval here is a few weeks. After that, WhatsApp will probably work at about the same time to provide all users with the feature.
In addition, WhatsApp is currently working on an automatic message that a user who has not yet installed the new update will receive. “You have received a reaction. Update your version of WhatsApp and see the reaction” can be read in gray letters in the chat. The update itself is also linked.
WhatsApp promises further steps to follow this first automated text message in the coming weeks. WhatsApp has recently added some animations that “WABetaInfo” recorded in a video. In principle, it would be conceivable that WhatsApp would make one or the other change based on user reactions.
There will be multiple ways to respond to WhatsApp
You can also see in the screenshot above that there will be multiple ways to respond to messages. With the desktop client, you will also be able to select the reactions via the message menu. However, this requires one step more than the button next to the message.
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