WhatsApp, the private messaging app owned by Meta and used by over two billion people globally, is testing emoji reactions on Android. Emoji responses have started appearing in beta version 2.22.8.3 of WhatsApp’s Android app, according to WABetaInfo, a credible source of impending WhatsApp features. Emoji reactions give users a quick and easy method to respond to incoming messages.
The function allows users to respond to a received message with one of six emoji: thumbs up, heart, sobbing, laugher, astonished face, or folded hands (which commonly means “thank you”). The functionality appears to be trickling out in stages on Android, and we were unable to get it to appear on our own.
Along with its arrival on Android, emoji reactions look to be on the way for the service’s iOS and desktop apps as well. WhatsApp’s beta client for iOS has featured a setting toggle to control “Reaction Notifications” since early January, and a similar item surfaced earlier this month in the beta version of the desktop software.
Emoji reactions have spread to other messaging apps including iMessage, Facebook Messenger, Google’s Messages app, and even Twitter Direct Messages. Finally, one of the most popular messaging applications in the world has joined the party.
