New Emoji Reaction Feature on WhatsApp

With its new update offered to a limited number of Android beta test users, WhatsApp is expanding the options for reacting to status updates. This exciting innovation allows users to express their satisfaction with status updates by using heart emojis. The update is now available with WhatsApp’s Android beta version v2.24.17.2.

Previously, users could only respond to someone’s status update by sending a message to that person. However, now a specific beta test group has the opportunity to react to status updates with emojis. This feature seems to be set to open up to more users over time.

This new emoji reaction feature allows users to quickly respond to someone’s status updates, paralleling a similar feature on Instagram. Thus, it eliminates the need to write a response or comment, allowing reactions to be communicated more swiftly.

In the latest update, when someone reacts to your status with an emoji, you will receive a notification informing you of this situation. Additionally, you will be able to see who viewed your status and what reactions were made. Users are granted full control over these types of notifications; users who do not wish to receive unwanted notifications can disable them from the Settings menu.

According to reports from WABetaInfo, all reactions are protected by WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption system. This ensures that only the person sharing the status update can see who reacted.

Of course, as with all beta features, the current limited availability of this new feature to a small number of users in beta testing does not guarantee that it will definitely be released for general use or remain in its current beta form. However, since this feature is already available on other platforms, it is expected to be rolled out to all WhatsApp users shortly, provided no issues arise.