WhatsApp is releasing a new feature that allows users to reply to status updates using avatars, providing an additional expressive and interactive way to engage with their contacts. This feature is available to some beta testers who install the latest versions of WhatsApp beta for Android and iOS.
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Avatar reply – Status updates |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | Android: WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.21.12 and 2.23.21.15 are marked as two compatible updates. iOS: WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.21.1.73 is marked as a compatible update. |
| I’ve installed this update but I don’t have this feature. Why? | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it’s rolling out to more users over the coming days. |
| Thanks: | FastenM, TestingApp199, and yahya_dinar, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.21.1.72: what’s new? WhatsApp is rolling out a search feature for the Updates tab, making it easier to search for status updates and channels! |
AVATAR REPLY – STATUS UPDATES
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.18.9 update, we announced a new feature under development: the ability to reply to status updates using avatars. With this feature, WhatsApp aims to improve engagement with status updates by providing users with an additional tool to engage with their contacts, making replying to status updates even more interactive. After installing the latest versions of WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store and WhatsApp beta for iOS from the TestFlight app, some beta testers may finally be able to experiment with this feature!
As you can see in this screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring new ways to reply to status updates by introducing avatars. As we explained in the article when the feature was in development, users are currently limited to only 8 emojis with the regular reaction feature, and they can now enhance their experience when replying to a status update by selecting one from the set of 8 available avatars. In addition, we can confirm that some beta testers can also reply to status updates by using an animated version of the avatars available in the set, and it’s a feature that was not available during the development. It’s important to note that, although the screenshot is taken from a recent version of WhatsApp beta for Android, the same feature is also available on WhatsApp beta for iOS.
We think that introducing a feature to reply to status updates with an avatar unlocks better expressive possibilities that go far beyond the confines of traditional emojis, as users can better convey and share their emotions. Rather than being restricted to a limited set of static emojis, users now have the ability to let their personalities shine through unique avatars. In our opinion, this feature enhances the user experience by presenting an additional way to engage with status updates and it also actively promotes increased user participation in responding to such updates.
The feature to reply to status updates using avatars is available to some beta testers who install the latest versions of WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store and WhatsApp beta for iOS from the TestFlight app, and it is rolling out to more users over the coming days.
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