One of the features of WhatsApp is the ability to react to a message using pre-selected emojis. It’s similar to Facebook’s reactions where you can use emojis to show how you feel about a message instead of typing it out. It’s a fun way to communicate, but WhatsApp is taking things one step further.
In a post on Instagram by Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg, he has announced that users will now be able to use any emoji they want for WhatsApp reactions. Prior to this, WhatsApp only gave users six different choices of emojis – thumbs up, heart, laughing crying face, shocked face, crying face, and prayer hands (some people think it’s a high-five).
Now with this new update, users will be able to use any emoji they want in their arsenal, so for example you could use the french fries emoji to react to a message. It might not necessarily mean anything, but it’s a fun and different way for users to react to messages. It might be useful to help get some answers to a question you might have, like what you should have for lunch, and your friends can respond with the appropriate emoji (if it’s available).
That being said, while the feature was announced, it doesn’t seem to be available for everyone just yet (I personally don’t see any changes yet). We imagine it’s probably being pushed out in stages, so if you don’t have it yet, don’t worry as it should eventually make its way to you.