WhatsApp to Introduce Message Reactions

Grace Edwards 25 Aug 2021

WABetaInfo, an authoritative WhatsApp tracker, reports that the messenger is about to introduce a new reactions feature. It will let users react to the received messages with emotions instead of writing reply messages. Most probably, the new option will be similar to reactions available on Instagram, Apple’s iMessage, and Twitter. 

Secretive Testing

According to the leaker, the feature is being tested internally, so it’s impossible to test it in the beta version yet. However, it’s already clear that the older versions of the app won’t support the feature and will notify users to update their apps to use the reactions and receive them from friends. WABetaInfo adds that the feature was revealed in the Android version of the app, but it will most probably come to the iPhone and web/desktop versions of the popular messenger. 

WhatsApp has already copied communication features of Instagram, Telegram, and Twitter before by adding stickers in 2018 and animated stickers in 2020. Hopefully, we see the new update soon as the app is lagging behind its competitors in the messaging field, such as Telegram and even the super-overcluttered Viber. Those two have so much free content for sharing that you may have problems with choosing a better option at times. 

Making It Better

WhatsApp seems to be on the right way with improving the communication experience. The reactions feature has already proved to be super-useful on Instagram, so leaving WhatsApp without it would simply make it feel outdated. Emojis, stickers, and GIFs are great, but we need more! What do you think about the upcoming feature? What else would you suggest WhatsApp improve? Share the news with friends, and let’s chat in the comments.