Whatsapp tests emoji reactions for messages
Whatsapp wants to introduce emoji reactions. However, the messenger is only testing the feature with a few Android users. When it will be available for the masses is still unclear.
Meta's subsidiary is currently testing a new feature that allows users to respond to messages faster. According to the online portal WABetainfo, some beta users have recently been able to respond to messages with emojis in the Android app.
By holding down a selected message from the other person for a longer time, beta users can now respond with a like, heart, a laughing, amazed, crying face or praying hands. The emoji appears directly on the message rather than as a post in the chat history.
Later than others
Whatsapp has two billion users worldwide, making it the largest messaging service in the world. However, it is not the first messenger to offer the reaction feature.
On Facebook Messenger, Meta introduced emoji reactions back in 2017. Apple's iMessage, Google Messages or Microsoft Teams also offer direct reactions. On Telegram, even animated reactions to messages have been possible since last December.
It is not yet clear when the new feature will be made available to all users. Experience shows that this will probably happen in the coming months - unless the test causes Whatsapp to completely abandon the idea.
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