WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.13.23: what's new?

WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.25.13.23.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a feature to react to messages and media using stickers, and it will be available in a future update!

In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.6.15 update, we announced that an improved sheet for emoji reactions in chats, groups, and channels was available. This layout introduces a more organized and visually appealing interface, featuring a grid view for channels to minimize scrolling and enhance readability. This interface also brings subtle design enhancements to the reactions page in chats and groups, such as redesigned tabs for better navigation and a cleaner overall appearance. It appears that WhatsApp is focused on new tools that will allow users to express their reactions even further when the available emoji options are not enough. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.13.23 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature to react to messages and media using stickers!

As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring the implementation of a feature that will allow users to select any sticker and use it as a reaction to a message, scheduled for release in a future update. Currently, message reactions are limited to a default set of emojis, along with a few recently used ones that appear in the reaction tray. While emojis are a quick and effective way to respond, they can sometimes feel too limited to fully capture a specific mood or intent. With a future update, WhatsApp aims to offer a broader and more creative set of options for users to express themselves by introducing the ability to react to messages and media using stickers.

The new feature will support all stickers available in the sticker keyboard, including those downloaded from the official WhatsApp Sticker Store. In addition, users will be able to use third-party stickers imported via external apps, as well as stickers they have previously saved. It's worth noting that animated stickers will also be supported as reactions. This includes stickers designed using the Lottie Framework, which enables smooth and lightweight animations while maintaining high visual quality and ensuring efficient performance across different devices. The inclusion of animated stickers aims to make the reaction experience even more dynamic, as these visuals can convey emotions and reactions in a more expressive way than static emojis.

This new capability could be particularly useful in situations where a sticker is able to capture a very specific emotion, tone, or sense of humor that an emoji simply cannot. For example, imagine someone sends a funny voice note or a meme in a group chat. Rather than reacting with a standard laughing emoji, which may feel too basic, users could respond using a custom sticker, perhaps featuring an animated character laughing uncontrollably or rolling on the floor, bringing a more expressive and entertaining element to the interaction. This can enrich the emotional impact of the response, while also introducing a distinctive and funny element to the overall conversation.

A feature to react to messages and media using stickers is under development and it will be available in a future update. We will keep you updated with an additional article as soon as we have more details to share about this feature.

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