WhatsApp is set to introduce a new feature that lets users react to messages by simply double-tapping on the bubble. This is a feature that has become a staple for other social media platforms like Instagram that also lets you react on the DMs. With WhatsApp also being a property of Meta, you can see why this is now coming to the messaging service.
The feature is currently being tested on Android and has arrived for some users on beta. To access it, you are required to be on the beta program of WhatsApp for Android. You can join it by simply enlisting on the Google Play Store if you’re lucky enough to find any slots available.
With this feature, you can react to photos, videos and GIFs directly from the media viewer screen, saving you time every time you do it. Double-tapping to any message will react with a heart emoji by default just like on Instagram. If you need to react with another emoji, then you will need to long press, a feature that is already available.
According to the beta, the feature seems to be by default which means users cannot disable it in any way. This is a situation that could be an issue for users who accidentally react to messages this way, so it will be interesting if it rolls out in the full version like that.
This feature comes at a time when WhatsApp has been busy introducing new features to the service, both for functionality and security. This includes the latest one that lets users add chats and calls to the ‘Favourites’ list.
With this update, users will now be able to separate the chats that matter to them the most from those that they see regularly on the chat screen. This filter can also include calls so that one can easily speed-dial their family or friends.
