WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.9.29: what's new?

WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.24.9.29.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a reaction notification feature for status updates, and it will be available in a future update!

In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.9.23 update, we announced a quick reaction feature for status updates in development. Through this enhancement, WhatsApp aims to enhance interactions with status updates by allowing users to quickly react to status content using the hearth emoji in the future. Although the new reaction feature for status updates is still in development, it appears that WhatsApp is committed to further refining this option by introducing the ability to manage notifications for such reactions, as discovered in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.9.29 update from the Google Play Store.

As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is now exploring a new option to allow users to disable notifications for like reactions, set for release in a future update of the app. It appears that WhatsApp plans to refer to this feature as "Like reactions", since the toggle to manage notifications currently carries this label. By offering this control, users will be able to customize their notification experience, reducing excessive alerts from status reactions. This will also allow users to disable notifications if they prefer to review status reactions manually within the status screen, without being notified every time someone reacts to the status update.

We believe that the ability to turn off notifications for like reactions might bring some advantages, as it will help users reduce distractions, especially for those who receive a high volume of status reactions. It will also offer users more control over these new status reactions, allowing them to manage their communication according to their own preferences. Since this new approach facilitates easier and more efficient engagement with status content, as users can react instantly without starting a full conversation thread, users will be more inclined to add reactions to status updates. We believe that, with the ability to disable notifications for the quick reaction feature, users will be able to manage their notification options with ease, according to their preferences and needs.

A reaction notification feature for status updates is under development and it will be available in a future update of the app. We will share another article once we gather more information about this feature.

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