Being unable to react to messages on WhatsApp for iPhone can be frustrating. Reacting allows you to quickly convey your response without having to type out a full message. There are a few potential reasons why you may be unable to react to messages on WhatsApp for iPhone.
You Don’t Have the Latest Version of WhatsApp
The react feature was introduced in a 2022 update to WhatsApp. If you don’t have the latest version of WhatsApp installed, you won’t be able to react to messages. Make sure you’ve updated to the most recent version of WhatsApp from the App Store. The current latest version as of October 2022 is WhatsApp 23.3.77.
The Other Person Doesn’t Have Reactions Enabled
In order for you to be able to react to a message, the other person needs to have reactions enabled. They may have disabled reactions in their WhatsApp settings. You can ask them to check their settings and make sure “Allow Reactions” is enabled under Notifications > Group Notifications. If they don’t have reactions enabled, you won’t be able to react to their messages.
Your Internet Connection is Unstable
In order to send and receive reactions, you need a stable internet connection. If your internet is slow or intermittent, you may find yourself unable to react. Reactions require very little data, but any disruption in connectivity can prevent them from going through. Try moving closer to your Wi-Fi router or turning off any other devices using the internet to free up bandwidth.
Your WhatsApp Needs to Be Updated
If reactions are not working for you in WhatsApp on iPhone, the first thing to check is if your app is updated to the latest version. WhatsApp frequently releases new versions that contain bug fixes and new features.
Here are some steps to update WhatsApp on iPhone:
- Open the App Store app.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Scroll down and tap “Check for Updates.”
- If WhatsApp has an update available, you’ll see the Update button next to it – tap it to update.
Updating to the latest version of WhatsApp may fix any issues with reactions not working.
Force Quit and Relaunch WhatsApp
If reactions are still not working after updating WhatsApp, try force quitting the app and relaunching it. This refreshes the app and clears out any glitches that may be preventing reactions from working correctly.
Follow these steps:
- Double click the Home button to open the fast app switcher.
- Locate WhatsApp in the app switcher and swipe up on it to force quit it.
- Open WhatsApp again from your home screen.
Reactions should now start working again in most cases.
Check Your Network Connection
Reactions rely on a stable internet connection to send and receive. If you have a poor network connection, reactions may fail to send.
Follow these troubleshooting tips:
- Make sure Wi-Fi is enabled on your phone. Reactions will send more reliably over Wi-Fi compared to mobile data.
- Move closer to your Wi-Fi router if the connection seems weak.
- Switch to mobile data if your Wi-Fi has a very poor signal.
- Disable any VPN or proxy connections that could be interfering with WhatsApp’s connection.
- Restart your phone to refresh all network connections.
With a strong internet connection, reactions should start sending normally again.
Update Your iPhone Software
Having the latest iOS software version on your iPhone ensures compatibility with WhatsApp’s newest features like reactions.
Follow these steps to update your iPhone’s iOS version:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap General > Software Update.
- Your iPhone will check for any available updates. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the latest iOS version.
Updating iOS can resolve software conflicts that may be preventing WhatsApp reactions from working.
Check If Reactions Are Globally Disabled
WhatsApp offers an option to disable reactions globally. If reactions are disabled in your WhatsApp settings, you won’t be able to react to any messages.
To check if reactions are disabled:
- Open WhatsApp Settings.
- Go to Notifications > Group Notifications.
- Make sure the toggle for Allow Reactions is enabled (green).
If reactions were disabled, turning this setting back on will let you react to messages again.
Restart Your iPhone
As a last resort, restart your iPhone to troubleshoot reactions not working on WhatsApp. This will clear out any glitches and refresh all apps and services on your device.
To restart an iPhone 8 or newer:
- Press and release the Volume Up button.
- Press and release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.
Allow your phone to fully restart, then open WhatsApp and check if reactions are working. This restart procedure often resolves technical issues with apps.
Update WhatsApp Support
If none of the above steps have helped fix reactions not working in WhatsApp on your iPhone, reach out to WhatsApp support for further troubleshooting:
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Help.
- Tap Contact Us and explain the reactions issue.
- A support agent can provide specialized troubleshooting tips for your problem.
WhatsApp support may be able to identify issues on their server side that are preventing reactions from going through and work to resolve them.
Conclusion
Reactions not working in WhatsApp on iPhone is usually caused by an outdated app version, poor network connection, software conflicts, or a settings toggle disabling reactions. Updating the app and iOS, checking connections, restarting your device, and contacting WhatsApp support can typically fix reaction issues.
With over 2 billion users, WhatsApp takes care to quickly roll out bug fixes when popular features like reactions stop working. Stay patient and try the troubleshooting steps outlined here to get reactions working again on your iPhone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my WhatsApp reactions not sending?
Common reasons for WhatsApp reactions not sending include having an outdated app version, disabled reactions in settings, poor network connection, or software conflicts. Update the app, enable reactions, check your network strength and restart your iPhone to troubleshoot.
How do I enable reactions on WhatsApp?
To enable reactions in WhatsApp: Open Settings > Notifications > Group Notifications and make sure the toggle for Allow Reactions is enabled (green). If it was disabled, turning it on will allow you to send and receive reactions.
Why can I not see reactions on WhatsApp messages?
If you cannot see reactions on WhatsApp messages, it means the sender likely has an outdated version of WhatsApp that does not support reactions yet. Ask them to update to the latest WhatsApp version to be able to view and send reactions.
How do I restart WhatsApp on iPhone?
To restart WhatsApp on iPhone, force quit the app by swiping up on it in the app switcher. Then launch WhatsApp again from your home screen. Restarting can help resolve issues with reactions and other features not working correctly.
What do I do if my WhatsApp keeps crashing when reacting?
If WhatsApp crashes when trying to react, update the app to the latest version. Also try restarting your iPhone and check for any iOS updates. A fresh install by deleting and reinstalling WhatsApp can help if crashes persist.
WhatsApp Reactions Support Table
| WhatsApp Version | iOS Version | Reactions Supported? |
|---|---|---|
| 2.22.23.77 | iOS 15.5 | Yes |
| 2.22.16.12 | iOS 15.4 | Yes |
| 2.21.240.11 | iOS 14.8 | No |
| 2.21.170.12 | iOS 14.6 | No |
This table shows which versions of WhatsApp and iOS support reactions. Update your app and iOS to the latest version to use reactions.
Troubleshooting Tips Summary
- Update to the latest WhatsApp version
- Ensure the other person has reactions enabled
- Check your internet connection strength
- Force quit and relaunch WhatsApp
- Update your iPhone’s iOS version
- Verify reactions are enabled in WhatsApp settings
- Restart your iPhone
- Contact WhatsApp support if issue persists
Following this comprehensive troubleshooting guide should help you resolve any issues with sending and receiving reactions in WhatsApp on your iPhone.