For a while now, WhatsApp has been working on a message reaction function for its messaging service. Thanks to tipster WABetaInfo, we got to see a peek of the functionality last month. With the most recent WhatsApp Android beta update, it appears that the Meta-owned business unintentionally released a half-baked and unusable version of the message reactions functionality.
The message reactions feature is now available in the most recent WhatsApp beta version 2.21.22.17 for Android, according to reliable tipster WABetaInfo. Although it does not yet function as intended, it appears like the business accidentally rolled it out.
For those who are unaware, WhatsApp’s message replies function now allows users to reply to chat messages with an emoji. You can tap any of the emoji reactions that appear when you long-press a message in the chat window to respond to it. It is comparable to what we already have access to on Instagram and Twitter direct messages.
In terms of the feature that is live in the WhatsApp beta right now, it is essentially an unfinished version that does not function right now. While tapping the emojis has no effect, a lengthy press on the message does cause the emoji reactions pop-up to appear.
Check out the GIF shown below to see how Anmol from our team used WhatsApp’s message reactions functionality on his OnePlus Nord running Android 11.
The half-baked message reactions feature does, in fact, appear in WhatsApp, but it is faulty, as you can see in the preview above. However, given that the functionality is already included in the most recent beta, it is likely that WhatsApp will release the fully functional version as soon as possible. So, be sure to check back for additional details and share your opinions on this new WhatsApp feature in the comments section.
