WhatsApp has been spotted testing their message reaction feature on the desktop beta, which may suggest the Meta-owned encrypted messenger could release the feature in an upcoming update. Message reactions on WhatsApp allow users to assign an emoji to a message, which is similar to the feature already available on Facebook and Instagram, also owned by Meta.
According to WABetaInfo, a service which tracks new features on the messaging platform, the platform appears to be working on adding message reactions support to the desktop beta app of WhatsApp and provided a screenshot of the feature as well. However, the feature is currently available to select beta users as it is still under development.
The message reaction feature on WhatsApp was first spotted in August 2021 and the glimpses of the feature have been surfacing online for Android and iOS for several months now. The screenshot of the feature shows the message reaction button in the form of an emoji icon, next to a message in a chat on WhatsApp Desktop Beta.
According to WABetaInfo, the message reactions button will only appear when moving the cursor over a message on WhatsApp Desktop Beta and clicking on the reaction button will display a row of six emoji, which can be selected to react to the message.
The options include the thumbs up, red heart, face with tears of joy, shocked face, crying face, and folded hands emoji. However, Instagram and competitor Signal offer the ability to react with any emoji.
Read more: WhatsApp Bringing Document Preview Feature For Images & Videos on Android.
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