WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.22.16: what's new?
WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.24.22.16.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to react to messages using recent emojis, and it's available to some beta testers!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Recent emojis - message reactions |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.22.16 is marked as a compatible update, but some users might experiment with the same feature by installing certain previous updates. |
| I've installed this update but I don't have this feature. Why? | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it is rolling out to more users over the coming weeks. |
| Thanks: | Kingcyrious, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.22.15: what's new? WhatsApp is releasing a fix to address a crash with camera effects! |
RECENT EMOJIS - MESSAGE REACTIONS
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.21.15 update, we announced that WhatsApp was working on a feature to react to messages using recent emojis. This enhancement aimed to enhance the reaction process by allowing users to quickly access and use their most recently used emojis directly from the reaction tray. It appears that WhatsApp is finally testing this feature with the public, as some beta testers reported the ability to react to messages using different emojis from the reaction tray. Thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.22.16 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to react to messages using recent emojis!
As you can see from the attached screenshot, some beta testers can explore a new feature to react using their most recently used emojis by scrolling through the reaction tray. The addition of recent emojis within the reaction tray is a highly convenient feature that saves users significant time. Instead of having to open the full emoji picker and scroll through various categories, users can now simply choose from a wider selection of their most frequently used emojis directly from the tray. This enhanced approach allows for quicker responses, especially when users tend to use specific emojis regularly.
We believe that the default reaction tray, which was previously limited to only six emojis, now offers more flexibility by extending the selection to include recent emojis. This update is particularly useful for those who frequently use emojis beyond the default set for reactions, as it eliminates the repetitive task of navigating through the entire emoji panel. Instead, users can react instantly if the emoji they want is already available in the tray. With recent emojis now visibile within the reaction tray, the message reaction process becomes more intuitive and efficient, as it reduces the number of steps needed to send a reaction.
A video autoplay feature for channels is available to some beta testers who install the latest updates of WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store, and it is rolling out to even more people over the coming weeks.
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