This function is already part of everyday life on Twitter, Instagram and Microsoft Teams: With an emoji you can tell the author of a message what you think of the latter.
Like Mark Zuckerberg in a Facebook post now announced, the new function will now also be distributed to all WhatsApp users. As usual from the competition, the reactions appear on the lower right edge of the message. Until recently, it was thought that you could respond with six different emojis: a thumbs up, a heart, a laughing emoji, a surprised emoji, a crying emoji, and two clasped hands.
As can be seen in the beta versions, the function will probably be much more extensive. In the latest test version, there is a + button in addition to the six default emojis. You can use this to select additional emojis. It is currently not known whether this is a predefined selection or even all available emojis.
WhatsApp updates: Announced further steps for the emoji function
As is usual with such updates, the emoji reaction will probably be distributed to users in batches. If you can’t access it right now, you’ll probably have to be patient.
In addition, WhatsApp is currently working on an automatic message that a user who has not yet installed the new update will receive. “You have received a reaction. Update your version of WhatsApp and see the reaction” can be read in gray letters in the chat. The update itself is also linked.