WhatsApp recently introduced the ability to react to messages with emojis, providing users with a quick and easy way to respond without having to type out a reply. Initially limited to just six emojis (👍❤😂😮😢🙏), users are eager to get access to the full range of emoji reactions available in Facebook’s Messenger app. So how can you get more reaction emojis on WhatsApp? Here’s what you need to know.
What are Reactions on WhatsApp?
Reactions allow you to quickly respond to a message on WhatsApp with an emoji icon to express your feeling or opinion. Tapping and holding on a message will bring up the reaction emoji picker, and selecting one will immediately react to the message.
This provides a faster alternative to typing out a text reply when you just want to convey a simple reaction. It also avoids cluttering up group chats with a flood of text messages that just say “haha” or “nice”.
How Many Reactions are Currently Available?
When first introduced in April 2022, WhatsApp reactions were limited to just six emoji options:
- 👍 Thumbs Up – “I agree”
- ❤️ Red Heart – “I love this”
- 😂 Face with Tears of Joy – “This is funny”
- 😮 Face with Open Mouth – “I’m surprised”
- 😢 Crying Face – “I’m sad about this”
- 🙏 Folded Hands – “Thank you”
This is considerably less than the wide array of reactions available in Facebook’s Messenger, which has over 15 different emojis to choose from.
Why is WhatsApp Limited to Just Six Reactions?
According to WhatsApp, they intentionally started with a small set of reactions to keep things simple as people get accustomed to the new feature. Introducing too many reaction options right away could be overwhelming for users.
The current reactions were specially chosen as those they felt would cover most common use cases and emotions. Additional reactions may be added in future, but WhatsApp wanted to take a measured approach to rolling out reactions more broadly.
How to Get More Reactions on WhatsApp
Even though WhatsApp currently limits the reaction emojis, there are a couple of tricks you can use to access a wider range of reactions:
1. Copy and Paste Emoji Reactions
The easiest way is to simply copy and paste emoji reactions from elsewhere. You can use the emoji keyboard on your phone to find the perfect reaction emoji and copy it.
Then paste it into the WhatsApp message box and send. This will send the emoji you copied as a reaction on that message.
2. Install Third-Party Apps
Some third-party WhatsApp mods and tweaks allow installing custom reaction packs. These mods, like YoWhatsApp or GBWhatsApp, add features not officially available in WhatsApp.
Through these mods, you can get access to dozens of additional emoji reactions beyond the default six. However, using third-party mods does come with risks like account bans, so caution is advised.
When Will WhatsApp Get More Official Reactions?
Based on hints from WhatsApp, it seems likely they will add more variations to reactions in future updates. However, there is no specific timeline known yet for when additional official reactions will be rolled out.
WhatsApp tends to take an iterative approach to new features, slowly expanding them over time. So users may have to wait a while longer before getting access to the full range of reactions.
What New Reactions Could WhatsApp Add?
Looking at Facebook’s Messenger reactions as an example, here are some of the new reactions WhatsApp might potentially add in future updates:
| Emoji | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 😄 | Laughing/Hilarious |
| 😡 | Angry |
| 😥 | Sad/Disappointed |
| 🤩 | Excited |
These and many other popular emoji reactions could be added to give WhatsApp users more ways to express reactions beyond the basic six already available.
Will WhatsApp Ever Get Reactions for Images, Videos, and Files?
Right now, reactions on WhatsApp only work for text messages. You cannot react with an emoji to photos, videos, or other files shared in chats.
Based on Facebook’s experience expanding reactions in Messenger, it seems very likely WhatsApp will eventually extend reactions to work on media as well.
Allowing reactions on shared photos, videos, and files provides more engagement options and ways to interact with non-text content. We expect this to be a future update after WhatsApp expands the text message reactions with more emoji.
How Do Reactions Work in Group Chats?
Reacting in group chats shows your reaction emoji below the original message for all participants to see. This provides an easy way to gauge quick responses from multiple people at a glance.
Group admins can disable reactions in group settings if they prefer to keep chats focused strictly on text messages. All participants in a group can use reactions regardless of what device they are using WhatsApp on.
Can You React Anonymously in Private Chats?
No, WhatsApp does not currently allow anonymous reactions in one-on-one chats. Your reaction will always show your name and profile photo to indicate who reacted.
The recipient can long press on the reaction to see details about which specific emoji you used. There is no way to react privately and keep your identity anonymous.
Do All WhatsApp Users Have Reactions?
Reactions are available on WhatsApp for iOS, Android, Web/Desktop, and the multi-device beta. Make sure you are running the latest version of WhatsApp to use reactions.
Both the sender and recipient need to be on a version of WhatsApp that supports reactions. If the other user is on an outdated version without reactions enabled, they will receive your emoji reaction as a separate text message instead.
Limitations of WhatsApp Reactions
While reactions provide a handy alternative to text replies, there are some limitations to be aware of:
– Only six default emoji reactions are currently available. More emoji options coming in future updates.
– You can only react to text messages, not photos, videos or files.
– Your identity and profile pic are shown with each reaction you make. No anonymous reactions.
– Not available when recipient is using an outdated WhatsApp version. Falls back to sending reaction as separate text.
– Access to more diverse reactions requires unreliable third-party mod apps.
Conclusion
While more reactions would be useful, the six emoji reactions in WhatsApp provide a quick and easy way to respond to messages without cluttering up conversations. As WhatsApp continues developing the feature, we can expect more official reaction options in the future. With some creative copying-and-pasting, you can also access a wider range of emoji reactions for now. Reactions help facilitate quick conversations, but do have limitations users should be aware of.