WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.24.24: what's new?

WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.24.24.24.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to open the reaction tray with a double-tap, and it's available to some beta testers!

In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.22.16 update, we announced that WhatsApp was rolling out a feature to react to messages using recent emojis. This feature brings greater convenience and efficiency to the reaction process by allowing users to access their most frequently used emojis directly from the reaction tray. With this enhancement, users no longer need to open the full emoji picker to search for a specific emoji if they have recently shared it. Instead, they can simply select from a wider range of their most recently used emojis, making it faster and easier to respond to messages. It appears that WhatsApp continues to experiment with additional enhancements for the reaction tray, with the focus to further improve user convenience. Thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.24.24 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to open the reaction tray with a double-tap!

As you can see from the attached screenshot, some beta testers can explore a feature that allows them to quickly open the reaction tray through a double-tap. Previously, users could only access the reaction tray by tapping and holding the message they wanted to react to. This method, while effective, required an additional step that some users might find slightly slower or less convenient during very active conversations. Now, with the introduction of the double-tap gesture, users have an alternative way to open the reaction tray. It is very important to note that the new method has not replaced the previous one, so users who are accustomed to tapping and holding can continue using that approach. The availability of both methods adds flexibility, catering to different user preferences and habits.

The double-tap gesture could slightly improve the speed of the reaction process, as it eliminates the need to tap and hold the message bubble. This action can be particularly useful in situations where users want to quickly send a reaction without interrupting the flow of a conversation. Although this change might seem minor, it can significantly enhance convenience, especially for users who frequently engage in chats and use message reactions often. Small quality-of-life improvements like this contribute to an overall better user experience, as they address common pain points that can arise during everyday app usage.

A feature to open the reaction tray with a double-tap 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 days.

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