WhatsApp will finally support emoji reactions to messages, according to leaked screenshot

Whatsapp Desktop Green (Image credit: Windows Central)

What you need to know

Emoji reactions appear to be on the way to WhatsApp.
Screenshots of the feature in action were recently shared online.
Support for emoji reactions is reportedly on the way to both iOS and Android.

WhatsApp will soon support emoji reactions, according to a recent leak from WABetaInfo. A previously leak from the same outlet showed that emoji reactions were on the way to WhatsApp, but we now have a screenshot of the feature. Emoji reactions are said to be on the way to the iOS and Android versions of WhatsApp in the future. You should be able to sync them over to your PC with WhatsApp Desktop.

The feature looks like you'd expect. With it, people can add any emoji they'd like as a reaction to a message. WABetaInfo states that WhatsApp will support an infinite amount of reactions, but if there are more than 999, people will see "999+" on the message.

• When you send a reaction, you can select any emoji.
• Messages can have an infinite amount of reactions, but if you have more than 999 reactions, you will read "999+".
• Everyone can see who reacted to a message.

Availability: in a future WhatsApp update on iOS & Android! pic.twitter.com/HWLybLKkkx• When you send a reaction, you can select any emoji.
• Messages can have an infinite amount of reactions, but if you have more than 999 reactions, you will read "999+".
• Everyone can see who reacted to a message.

Availability: in a future WhatsApp update on iOS & Android! pic.twitter.com/HWLybLKkkx— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) September 4, 2021 September 4, 2021

WhatsApp is a bit late to the party when it comes to emoji reactions. Many popular messaging services already support the feature, including Twitter, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Skype. Facebook already supports emoji reactions in Facebook Messenger and Instagram DMs. Soon, the feature should work within the popular WhatsApp as well.

WhatsApp Desktop

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps on the planet. You can sync messages from your iOS and Android devices to your PC with WhatsApp Desktop.

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.