Quick Answer
The reaction feature allows you to quickly react to messages on WhatsApp without having to type out a text response. Here are the steps to get reactions on Whatsapp:
- Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed on your device.
- Open a chat window in WhatsApp.
- Long press on the message you want to react to.
- A pop-up will appear with different reaction emoji options.
- Tap on your desired reaction emoji to send it.
That’s it! The reaction emoji you selected will be sent and visible in the chat.
WhatsApp introduced the ability to react to messages with emoji in 2022, providing a quick and easy way to respond without having to type out a message. Reactions allow you to tap on a specific emoji that conveys your feelings or thoughts about a message.
This handy feature eliminates the need to send texts like “Haha” or “That’s great!” every time you want to react to a message. Instead, you can simply tap on the laughing emoji or thumbs up icon to react.
Reactions on WhatsApp work similarly to reactions on other platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Once you send a reaction, the emoji appears below the message you reacted to in the chat window.
WhatsApp currently supports the following reactions:
- Thumbs Up – 👍
- Heart – ❤️
- Laughing Face – 😂
- Surprised Face – 😮
- Sad Face – 😢
- Thank You Hands – 🙏
If you want to try out the new reaction feature on WhatsApp to enhance your messaging experience, this guide will show you exactly how to use reactions.
Prerequisites
Before you can start reacting to messages on WhatsApp, there are a couple of prerequisites:
- You must have the latest version of WhatsApp installed on your device.
- All parties in the chat must also have the latest WhatsApp version with reactions enabled.
- The device must be running iOS 15+ or Android 12+.
- Reactions are only available in personal chats, not groups.
Ensure you have met the above requirements in order to use reactions. If any parties in a chat thread have an outdated version of WhatsApp, the reaction emojis will not appear for them.
WhatsApp rolls out new features like reactions slowly, so not everyone receives updates at the same time. If reactions seem unavailable even with the latest app version, try updating again after some time.
Step 1: Update to the Latest Version of WhatsApp
The first step is making sure you have installed the latest version of WhatsApp which enables reactions. Here is how to check your version and update on both iPhone and Android:
On iPhone
- Open the App Store app.
- Tap on your profile icon in the top right.
- Scroll down and tap on WhatsApp.
- If an Update button appears, tap it to update to the latest version.
On Android
- Open the Play Store app.
- Tap on the hamburger menu in the top left corner.
- Tap on My Apps & Games.
- Under Updates available, look for WhatsApp and tap Update.
This will ensure you are running the latest WhatsApp release with reactions enabled. If no updates are available, your app is already up to date.
Step 2: Open a Chat Window in WhatsApp
Once you have confirmed you are on the latest WhatsApp version, open the chat window with the contact you want to react to messages from.
This can be an individual or group chat. Note that reactions are only supported in personal chats, not groups.
To open a chat:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Tap on the Chats tab if you aren’t already there.
- Tap on the contact’s name you want to open the chat window with.
You are now ready to start reacting to messages in this chat!
Step 3: Long Press on a Message
With the chat window open, press and hold your finger on a message you want to react to.
After about 1 second, a pop-up will appear above the message in the chat with different reaction emoji options.
Do not lift your finger yet. Keep holding it down on the message until the reactions pop-up appears.
Step 4: Tap on a Reaction Emoji
With your finger still pressed on the message, use your other hand to tap on the reaction emoji you want to use from the pop-up.
For example, tap on the laughing face emoji to react that you find the message funny.
Step 5: The Reaction is Sent!
Once you select the reaction emoji by tapping on it, you can lift your finger.
The emoji you picked will be immediately sent as a reaction to that message in the chat!
It’s that easy to use WhatsApp reactions. You should now see the emoji under the message indicating you have reacted.
The other person will see your reaction in real-time too. Reaction emojis only have to be chosen once per message. If you want to change your reaction, you can just repeat the long press and tap process.
Tips for Using Reactions on WhatsApp
Here are some handy tips when using reactions in WhatsApp chats:
- You can only react to messages sent within the last 2 days. Older messages cannot be reacted to.
- A message can have an unlimited number of reactions from different people.
- You can change or remove your reaction at any time by selecting a different emoji or the remove reaction icon.
- If you are notified about a new reaction, tap and hold on the message to view it instantly.
- Reactions only appear when all parties in a chat have the latest WhatsApp version.
- If you do not see the reaction options after long pressing a message, your app may need an update.
Using these tips, you can master reactions and seamlessly integrate them into your WhatsApp messaging.
Troubleshooting Reactions
Sometimes you may run into issues when trying to use reactions on WhatsApp. Here are solutions for some common problems:
Reactions Do Not Appear
If reactions are not showing up even after updating WhatsApp, try these steps:
- Force quit and relaunch the WhatsApp app.
- Check that the contact also has the latest WhatsApp update installed.
- Restart your phone and try again after a few minutes.
- Turn on airplane mode for 30 seconds to reset connectivity.
Can’t React to Old Messages
WhatsApp limits reactions to messages from the last 2 days only. Older messages cannot have reactions added to them.
Reactions Not Available in Group Chats
At the moment, WhatsApp has limited reactions to one-on-one chats only. Group chat reactions are not yet supported.
Can’t Find the Reactions Pop-up
Press and hold on a message for at least 1 full second before lifting your finger. The reactions pop-up can take a moment to appear.
If it still does not show, double check you are on the latest WhatsApp version.
Conclusion
Reactions allow for quick and fun messaging by cutting down on text responses. All it takes is a long press, tap, and lift to send a reaction emoji on WhatsApp.
Ensure your app is updated, open a 1-on-1 chat, and press and hold on the latest messages to get started reacting. Use the tips provided to troubleshoot any issues with reactions not appearing.
With this guide, you can become a pro at reacting to WhatsApp messages and enhance your conversations.