Emoji reactions in WhatsApp
Do you regularly use emoji reactions in WhatsApp? If so, a handy new feature may be on the way. A discovery in a recent Android beta suggests that WhatsApp is working on a feature that will let you choose which emojis appear by default when you react to a message.
At the moment, WhatsApp displays six fixed emojis as soon as you long-press a message. You’ll also see emojis you’ve used recently. Which emojis appear at the top is automatically determined based on your usage. It’s not yet possible to customise this yourself.
According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is working on a setting that will allow you to customise the six default reactions yourself. You’ll be able to choose any emoji from the full library for each slot. Want to change something later? You’ll be able to adjust your selection at any time. This would be particularly useful if you often use the same reactions but don’t want to rely on WhatsApp’s automatic selection.
The feature isn’t available to test just yet. It has only been found in the code of Android beta version 2.26.29.3 and hasn’t even been enabled for beta users yet. WhatsApp has not yet officially announced the new feature either, so it is unclear whether and when it will actually be released.
Possible feature of WhatsApp Plus
There is, however, an important caveat. The customisable reaction bar appears set to become part of a second package for WhatsApp Plus. This is the subscription service through which WhatsApp has previously introduced extra features, such as themes, alternative app icons, premium stickers and the ability to pin more chats. If this discovery is correct, it means that customising the standard emojis may only be available to users with a paid subscription.
