WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.23.17: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.25.23.17.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to react to status updates with recently used emojis, and it's available to some beta testers!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Recently used emojis in status updates |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.23.17 has been designated as a compatible update, but some users may get 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 2.25.23.16: what's new? WhatsApp is releasing a fix to address a crash with opening group chats! |
RECENTLY USED EMOJIS
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.22.17.24 update, we announced that a feature to allow users to react to status updates using an emoji was available. This feature lets users respond to a status update instantly, without needing to compose a full message. By swiping up on a status, users can select from the eight currently available emojis, making it quick and effortless to convey their feelings without needing to type a message. It seems that WhatsApp is currently experimenting with refinements to this feature, as some beta testers are noticing variations in the emojis available when reacting to status updates. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.23.17 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a feature to react to status updates with recently used emojis!
As you can see from the attached screenshot, some beta testers can now explore a set of emojis that reflects their most recently used reactions in conversations. These are the emojis that the user has interacted with most frequently when reacting to messages within their chats. For example, if a user often reacts with the green heart emoji in their chats, these will now appear first when reacting to a status. This approach makes it quicker and more convenient for users to choose the reactions they use most often, rather than having to rely on the default set every time.
To allow showing recently used emojis, WhatsApp is removing four emojis from the default set of status reactions: Folded Hands, Clapping Hands, Party Popper, and Hundred Points. Users will still see these emojis only if they are included in their recent emoji set from previous message reactions. Otherwise, WhatsApp will display alternative emojis in their place. This design allows WhatsApp to personalize the reaction experience, showing the emojis that are most relevant to the individual user. However, the first four emojis will always remain the same, as they have been carefully selected by WhatsApp to represent the most universal range of emotions.
It's worth noting that these suggested emojis are not static, as they evolve dynamically as user preferences change. Whenever users react to messages in their chats with different emojis, the set of recently used reactions is updated accordingly. This means that the reactions available for status updates will always mirror the emojis users actually rely on in their daily conversations. As a result, the feature continuously adapts to each person's habits, ensuring that the reactions remain relevant, up to date, and consistent across both chats and statuses.
Displaying recently used emojis allows users to react to status updates more quickly with the emojis they use most often. This makes the experience feel more natural and tailored to each individual user, as the reactions presented are based on their own activity rather than a generic default set. Instead of choosing from a fixed set of default emojis, users are immediately presented with four additional reactions they are most likely to choose, streamlining the process and encouraging more frequent engagement.
This personalization aims to speed up interaction while reducing the cognitive load on users, allowing them to respond intuitively without interruption. By bringing recently used emojis into status reactions, WhatsApp is making status updates as interactive and dynamic as regular chat conversations. Users encounter the same emojis they rely on in their conversations, which reinforces familiarity and enables more expressive communication.
A feature to react to status updates with recently used emojis 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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