WhatsApp message reactions eventually became an official feature for the messaging platform earlier last month after several rumours and beta tests. And now both Android and iOS users are finally starting to receive the feature. Here’s how to respond to a WhatsApp message right now.
Message Reactions on WhatsApp Starts Rolling Out
The announcement was made in a recent Mark Zuckerberg Facebook post. However, you should be aware that message reactions have just recently begun to roll out, so it will take some time for it to reach all users worldwide.
At the time of writing, I personally couldn’t access WhatsApp message reactions. They were partially usable on WhatsApp for Web, but not on mobile, according to my colleague Uday. To check if it has appeared for you, try updating the app. Here is a picture of them in the interim:
Even yet, WhatsApp still provides a simple list of instructions for sending message reactions. Like on Instagram and Facebook, all you have to do to reply to a message is long-press it and choose the emoji you want to use.
There are currently six emoji alternatives available: hands together, heart, smiling face, shocked face, and thumbs up. Like Instagram DMs, more choices are anticipated to be added.
The dedicated FAQ page for message reactions on the Meta-owned messaging network raises some important topics. First of all, while you can always change the emoji reaction, you can only add one reaction per message. To do this, long-press the message once more and select a different emoji that you like.
It is also disclosed that you cannot hide reactions or reaction counts, and that reactions to disappearing messages will also vanish after the designated period of time. Additionally, before you removed your message, someone else might have seen how it made them feel. By holding down the long-press key and tapping the selected emoji once again, you can delete a reaction. Reaction removal won’t trigger a notification.
Emoji replies, which are already available for Instagram and Facebook Stories, are scheduled to be added to WhatsApp Status. For those who are unaware. Along with the 32-person cap for a group audio conversation on WhatsApp, message reactions have begun to roll out. Additionally, the business will increase the number of participants to 512. (via WABetaInfo). This is wonderful news because it implies that groups can now contain up to 512 members.
Have you already begun to receive the new WhatsApp message reactions? If so, please share your experience in the comments section.