WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.20.15: what's new?

WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.25.20.15.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a feature to react to voice and video calls with any emoji, and it will be available in a future update!

In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.10.16 update, we announced that an improved user experience for voice and video calls was available. The new experience introduces real-time emoji reactions during calls, enabling users to express themselves visually without interrupting the speaker. Users can choose from six default emojis designed to cover a broad range of common responses, making it easier for users to convey emotions like joy, approval, surprise, or affection without speaking. WhatsApp also plans to expand reaction options in the future to cover an even wider range of situations and emotions. It appears that WhatsApp plans to expand reaction options in the future to cover an even wider range of situations and emotions. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.20.15 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature to react to voice and video calls with any emoji!

As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring the implementation of a feature that will allow users to react using emojis beyond the six default ones, scheduled for release in a future update. With this feature, users will no longer be limited to a predefined set of emojis during calls. Instead, they will have more freedom to express themselves more accurately and personally, as they can choose the emoji that best fits the mood, context, or message they want to convey in real time. This update will finally bring call reactions in line with emoji reactions already available for messages, creating a more consistent and unified experience across the app.

The feature will take advantage of the standard emoji keyboard, giving users access to the full emoji library directly during a call. This means users will be able to browse through all available emoji categories, from smileys and gestures to animals, objects, and more. In addition, users will be able to pick an emoji from a section for recently used reactions. This allows users to quickly find and reuse emojis they've already selected. This makes reacting more efficient, especially in fast-paced conversations where timing matters.

There are many scenarios where one of the six default emojis might not feel appropriate, as none of the current options may fully capture the user's intended emotion. For example, a moment of empathy, sarcasm, or inside humor might require a more specific or personalized emoji to convey the right tone. In group calls with friends or family, users might prefer using quirky or playful emojis that reflect their shared experiences or jokes. Similarly, in professional settings, a more neutral or context-specific emoji might be more suitable than the standard ones. In these cases, having the freedom to choose any emoji ensures users can react in a way that feels authentic, nuanced, and meaningful.

It's worth noting that the ability to react to calls using one of the six default emojis had already been announced in a previous beta update. At the time, the feature was made available to a limited number of beta testers. However, it still appears to be unavailable to a wider audience. This limited rollout might be intentional, as WhatsApp could be waiting to introduce the custom emoji reaction feature for a broader release. Launching both simultaneously would provide a more complete and consistent experience from the start, giving users quick default reactions and the option to choose any emoji at the same time.

A feature to react to voice and video calls with any emoji 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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