To react to messages on WhatsApp using emojis, you have to update the app to the latest version. Next, open a WhatsApp conversation, tap and hold on to a message and select an emoji from the popup that appears.
As of May 2022, WhatsApp started rolling out a new feature that allows users to react to messages using emojis, similar to the Instagram emoji reactions.
Users can select from 6 default emojis to react with, including the laughing, thumbs up, heart, surprised, and thanks emojis.
When you react to a WhatsApp message using an emoji, it will appear underneath the message and the recipient can see your reaction. This new feature is a fun and entertaining way of expressing your emotions using emojis rather than words.
Here’s how to add emoji reactions to WhatsApp messages.
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How to get emoji reactions in WhatsApp
You have to download the latest version of WhatsApp to get access to emoji reactions. This new feature is available only after you update the app.
If you can’t find emoji reactions after updating, then it may be because the feature is not available for you yet. WhatsApp is slowly rolling out the feature to users worldwide and some users may get it sooner than others.
How to react to messages on WhatsApp using Emojis
1. Update to the latest WhatsApp version
Emoji reactions were released in May 2022. The first thing you have to do is to update WhatsApp to the latest version so that you can access the new feature.
Go to the App Store or the Google Play Store and update WhatsApp.
2. Open a conversation on WhatsApp
Next, open the conversation on WhatsApp that contains the message you want to react to.
You can add reactions to all types of messages on WhatsApp, including text messages, voice recordings, videos, and more.
3. Tap and hold on to a message you want to react to
Find the message you want to react to and tap and hold onto it.
A popup menu appears with a set of default emojis to choose from.
4. Select an emoji reaction
From the menu popup, tap on the emoji reaction that you want to add to the message.
Currently, WhatsApp allows you to choose from 6 default emojis and there’s no way to use different emojis.
Once you add your reaction, the emoji will appear below the message. The other person can see your emoji reaction and they can also react to your messages using emojis.
Why can’t I react to messages on WhatsApp?
If you can’t react to WhatsApp messages, then chances are that you have not updated to the latest version of the app.
WhatsApp reactions were released in May 2022 and you have to update the app to be able to use it.
Go to the App Store and the Google Play Store and update WhatsApp. Once done, open the app and you should be able to react to messages on WhatsApp using emojis.
If you’re still unable to use emoji reactions, it could be because the feature hasn’t become available to you yet. WhatsApp is slowly rolling out the feature to users in the coming weeks.
How to use custom emojis for WhatsApp reactions?
You cannot use custom emojis for WhatsApp reactions yet. You can only choose from the default set of emoji reactions that WhatsApp offers, such as the heart, laughing, and crying face emojis.
WhatsApp Emoji Reactions FAQ
Can you add reactions in WhatsApp?
As of May 2022, it is possible to add emoji reactions to WhatsApp messages. Simply press and hold a message to react with an emoji.
