WhatsApp's emoji reactions

 WhatsApp's is testing a personalized emoji reaction list

WhatsApp was acquired by the Facebook giant two years after Instagram, has gained a robust collection of modern-day communication app tools and features over the years. This includes the likes of Communities, group chats, channels, end-to-end encryption, message reactions, status updates and more. WhatsApp status updates are taking a page out of Instagram's playbook. Following are the some of the important points:-  

WhatsApp is testing a personalized emoji reaction list, similar to what Instagram already offers.

The update also includes a video autoplay feature for Channels that is rolling out to beta testers.

Users will see their top 7 emojis first, followed by other top emojis that can be accessed by swiping left.

We already know that the messaging giant is working on adding extra functionality to the latter, with upcoming music support for WhatsApp's Status Updates. However, that is not the only page WhatsApp seems to be borrowing from Instagram. WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.22.16, which is available now as part of the platform's Google Play Beta Program, the messaging giant seems to be public testing message reactions with users' recently used emojis. This is how message reactions work on Instagram, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, and even Slack, by surfacing the ones you use the most first in the list. The feature was first spotted in development with WhatsApp beta version 2.24.21.15 early in October.

WhatsApp's default list of reaction emoji includes, in order, 👍, ❤️, 😂, 😮, 😢, and 🙏. While not a huge change, surfacing a personalized reaction list with users' most-used emojis is a quality update which brings WhatsApp more in line with its competitors. At the moment, anyone can react to messages sent in chats, groups and communities with emoji. You can view all reactions to a message by clicking the reactions emoji below the message. You can only add one reaction per message. Reactions to disappearing messages will disappear when the message disappears. It’s not possible to hide reactions or reaction counts. Recipients might see your reaction before you remove it or if removing it wasn’t successful. You won’t be notified if removing a reaction wasn’t successful.

How to add a reaction

When you add a reaction, only the sender of the message being reacted to will receive a notification.

Hover over a message, then click the emoji icon. Alternatively, click Menu > React to message.

Select one of the displayed emoji or click + to select any emoji from your keyboard.

If you want to Change your reaction

You can change your reaction to a different one.

Hover over a message you reacted to, then click the emoji icon.

Select a different emoji or click + to select a different emoji from your keyboard.

If you wish to remove a reaction

You can remove your reaction to a message. A notification won’t be sent to the sender of the message if you remove a reaction.

Hover over the message you reacted to, then click the emoji icon.

Select the emoji you reacted with to remove it.

In addition to faster and more personalized emoji reactions, the beta update also includes a new video autoplay feature specifically for Channels, alongside Status mentions, which began rolling out earlier this month. Personalized emoji reaction lists and video autoplay for channels are expected to roll out to more beta users gradually in a near future. It is currently unclear when the features might make their stable debut. In addition to displaying your top seven most used reactions up top, users would also be able to swipe to the left to reveal the next set of emojis, making it much easier to access emojis which don't make the top of the list, but you still use them every now and then. A + button will remain visible to dive deeper into the full emoji list.