WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.35.10.71: what's new?

WhatsApp has released a new iOS update through the TestFlight beta Program, bringing the version up to 25.35.10.71.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that shows a confetti animation for emoji reactions this holiday season, and it's available to some beta testers!

WhatsApp Brings Festive Confetti Animations for Emoji Reactions

In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.35.11 update, we announced that a feature that shows a confetti animation for emoji reactions is available. The animation is triggered when a user reacts to a message with one of the supported festive emojis. WhatsApp detects the selected reaction and loads a small Lottie animation code that contains the confetti effect. The app then renders the animation directly on top of the chat bubble, creating a brief burst of color that plays smoothly without affecting performance.

WhatsApp appears to be bringing the same reaction experience available on Android to iOS, aiming to maintain feature parity across the platforms. This update builds on the work introduced last year during the same holiday period, bringing festive enhancements just in time for the New Year. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.35.10.71 update, which is available on the TestFlight app, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that shows a confetti animation for emoji reactions this holiday season!

Introducing WhatsApp's Festive Confetti Animation for Reactions

With the latest updates, some users can explore a functionality designed to add a burst of visual excitement to their messages, turning simple emoji reactions into lively animations. This feature allows users to trigger a colorful confetti animation whenever they react to a message with certain festive emojis. When an emoji is selected from the reaction tray, WhatsApp instantly displays a brief burst of animated confetti over the message bubble. The effect is purely visual, enhancing the chat experience without altering the message content or layout. By adding this playful animation, the app turns ordinary reactions into celebratory moments that make conversations feel more festive.

Party Popper Emoji Now Easily Accessible in Reaction Tray

The Party Popper emoji has been added to WhatsApp's default reaction tray, allowing users to access it quickly without searching through additional menus. Reacting with this emoji to any message now triggers the confetti animation instantly, adding a burst of color to the chat. This integration ensures that users can celebrate messages with minimal effort, making reactions feel fun. With the Party Popper emoji always visible in the tray, users are more likely to engage with the feature during festive conversations.

Other Emojis That Trigger Confetti Animations

In addition to the Party Popper, WhatsApp now supports several other emojis for confetti reactions, each adding its own celebratory nuance. The Partying Face emoji is perfect for birthdays or moments of excitement, bringing energy and cheer to messages. The Clinking Glasses emoji is ideal for toasts or congratulatory messages, emphasizing special moments shared in chat. The Confetti Ball emoji evokes a classic party atmosphere, instantly filling the conversation with colorful confetti. The Bottle with Popping Cork emoji highlights milestones or achievements, making reactions more playful and memorable.

Every time these emojis are used, the same lively confetti animation is displayed, maintaining a consistent visual experience. Users can now choose the emoji that best fits the tone of their message while still triggering the animation. This variety allows reactions to feel more visually dynamic for any occasion.

How Lottie Powers Smooth Confetti Animations in WhatsApp

The confetti animation in WhatsApp is powered by the Lottie framework, which allows high-quality animations to run efficiently across devices. Lottie compresses complex animations into lightweight files, ensuring smooth playback without impacting app performance or draining resources. This framework supports scalable animations, so the confetti looks crisp and fluid on screens of any size or resolution. Developers can design multi-layered, detailed animations that remain interactive, responding seamlessly when a user reacts with an emoji.

Lottie also reduces the need for large media files, keeping the app responsive while delivering rich visual effects. The framework's versatility allows for a variety of effects, all triggered effortlessly by user interactions. Users experience fluid, high-quality animations without noticeable delays, enhancing the appeal of emoji reactions. By relying on Lottie, WhatsApp can offer visually striking animations that feel polished and responsive across all supported devices.

Limited-Time Availability of Confetti Animations

As with last year, the confetti animation will only be available for a limited time during the festive season. This timing makes the feature feel special and aligned with holiday celebrations. Users will have the opportunity to enjoy the lively reactions throughout this seasonal period. Once the holidays conclude, the animations will no longer appear, emphasizing their temporary and celebratory nature.

Confetti Animation for Message Reactions is Rolling out on iOS beta

The feature that shows a confetti animation for emoji reactions is available to some beta testers this holiday season. However, some users on the stable version of WhatsApp may have already received the feature early, giving them a preview of the seasonal update. This rollout ensures that the reaction animations are consistent across both Android and iOS platforms. Over the next few days, all users are expected to be able to see this animation as the holidays approach.

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