WhatsApp is working on a new feature that would let users customize the default emoji reactions shown when they long-press a message. The change appears in the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS and would give users more control over the reaction tray they use every day.
WABetaInfo found references to a new “Default reactions” setting inside the latest TestFlight build, although the feature is not yet available to beta testers.
Don’t miss the best of The Mac Observer
Set us as a preferred source and our Apple reporting ranks higher in your Google Search results and Discover feed — one tap, no account changes.
At the moment, WhatsApp shows six standard reactions in the tray: 👍, ❤️, 😂, 😮, 😢, and 🙏. Users also see recently used emojis and can tap the + button to open the full emoji picker when they want another option.
WhatsApp is testing a personalized reaction tray
The new setting would let users replace any of the six standard reactions with emojis from the full keyboard. Users would be able to change one reaction or replace the entire set, depending on which emojis they use most often.
WABetaInfo says WhatsApp also plans to include an option to restore the original reaction tray at any time, so users will not need to manually recreate the standard set after making changes.
The feature may eventually become part of WhatsApp Plus, although that detail remains unclear because WhatsApp has not announced how access will work.
Similar references have already appeared in WhatsApp beta builds for Android, which suggests the company is developing the feature for both major mobile platforms.
WhatsApp has not confirmed a release date, and iOS beta testers cannot access the setting yet. However, the references indicate that customizable default emoji reactions are moving closer to testing before a wider rollout.
Discussion