WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.30.2: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.25.30.2.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to react to status updates using a reaction sticker, and it will be available in a future update!
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Reaction sticker for status updates |
| Status: | Under development |
| Availability info: | This feature is currently in development and not yet available for beta testing. In the meantime, you can read this article for a sneak peek. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.29.10.72: what's new? WhatsApp is working on a feature that brings a sidebar to the iPad user interface! |
WhatsApp Explores New Features to Interact with Status Updates
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.29.12 update, we announced that a feature that lets users share questions in their status updates is available. This feature allows users to add a question sticker to their photos or videos, inviting contacts to respond directly from the status. All responses are sent privately to the status author and can be reviewed, managed, or shared in a new update while keeping respondents anonymous. It offers an intuitive way to collect feedback or reactions from viewers, as answers are organized within the viewers list, where users can easily track, moderate, and interact with responses.
It appears that WhatsApp continues to explore new creative tools, making status updates even more engaging and community-driven. These improvements reflect WhatsApp's commitment to making interactions more expressive and interactive for users. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.30.2 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to react to status updates using a reaction sticker!
WhatsApp is Developing a Reaction Sticker for Status Updates
WhatsApp is currently exploring the implementation of a feature designed to let users react to status updates in a new intuitive way, scheduled for release in the future. The new reaction sticker feature in WhatsApp is designed to behave in a similar way to Instagram Stories. When creating a status update, users can access the drawing editor screen and select the reaction sticker option. From there, they will be able to place the sticker directly on their image or video before sharing it with their contacts. This simple addition turns a static post into an interactive experience, allowing viewers to quickly express their feelings through a specific emoji.
Personalize Your WhatsApp Status with Emoji Reaction Stickers
WhatsApp plans to give users full control over how their reaction stickers appear by allowing complete emoji personalization. Before sharing a status update, users will be able to choose any emoji from the full emoji set, ensuring that reactions match the tone or mood of their content. Whether it's a heart, a laughing face, or a thumbs-up, this customization adds a personal touch to each update. By offering this flexibility, WhatsApp ensures that every user can express themselves in a way that feels personal and creative. Once personalized, the status update is ready to be shared, and the reaction sticker is set for viewers to interact with.
What Viewers See When Opening a Status with Reaction Stickers
When someone opens a status update containing a reaction sticker, they will immediately see the interactive emoji placed on the image or video. Viewers can tap the sticker to react instantly, sending their emoji-based response to the status author. This interaction is entirely private, so only the author of the status can view the reactions. These reactions are protected by end-to-end encryption, ensuring that no third party, not even WhatsApp, can access the content of these interactions.
Notifications for Reactions to Status Updates
Whenever a contact reacts to a status update using a reaction sticker, WhatsApp will send a notification directly to the author of the status. This allows users to stay informed about who interacted with their status updates. However, each notification not only identifies who reacted but also displays the specific emoji used. This aspect is particularly useful when a user has multiple status updates, each featuring a different reaction sticker. With this detailed notification, authors can quickly understand the context of the reaction without having to open each individual status.
The notification system for reaction stickers is designed to provide clear and organized information, making it easier for users to keep track of engagement. Including the emoji in the notification helps users quickly identify which status update the reaction applies to, making it easier to track engagement across multiple updates. This centralized approach to notifications allows users to manage responses efficiently, whether they want to reply or simply monitor reactions.
Enhancing Engagement and Interaction on WhatsApp Status
The reaction sticker feature is designed to make status updates more engaging by encouraging real-time interaction between users and their contacts. By allowing viewers to respond with a single tap, WhatsApp aims to simplify communication and make expressing reactions quick and fun using the emoji selected by the status author. This feature can help users gauge the mood or opinions of their friends and family instantly, allowing them to respond or engage in conversations based on real-time feedback.
The interactive nature of the sticker encourages frequent engagement, turning passive viewers into active participants. Placing a reaction sticker directly on the image or video makes it more noticeable than the traditional method of sliding up to react with one of the eight default emojis. Since the sticker is visually prominent, viewers will be more likely to tap it spontaneously, increasing the chances of interaction. This approach also highlights the emoji chosen by the status author, adding a personalized touch that can spark a more immediate response.
Release Timeline for the Reaction Sticker Feature
The feature that allows users to react to status updates using a reaction sticker is under development, and it will be available in a future update. While it's not yet available to all users, the feature is expected to roll out in a future update once testing and refinements are complete. WhatsApp often takes time to ensure new tools meet their performance standards before a global release. For this reason, no exact release date has been announced, but users can expect it to arrive soon in an upcoming update through the Google Play Store. Keep an eye on this website, where we will share updates as soon as the reaction sticker feature becomes available to beta testers.
Following WABetaInfo on X is the best way to stay informed about new features under development and those released to WhatsApp beta for Android, iOS, Web, and Desktop. We love hearing your feedback, so let us know what you think! You can also explore our dedicated page to discover all our services, or join our Discord Server to chat with others, get help and advice, and stay up to date with the latest WABetaInfo announcements.