WhatsApp's latest features let you personalize your chats
15 Jan 2025

WhatsApp has introduced a bunch of new features and design improvements, all aimed at enhancing the user experience.

The update lets users react to messages by double-tapping instead of the old method of tapping and holding.

The change mirrors a similar feature offered by Discord, where frequently used emojis are easily accessible in the scrolling pop-out menu, replacing the generic selection previously available on WhatsApp.

WhatsApp's new feature offers personalized emoji access
Emoji accessibility

The new feature on WhatsApp now shows users' most-used emojis in the scrolling pop-out menu.

This improvement is designed to save time by preventing the need to sift through a huge collection of emojis.

You can still find your other emoji options by tapping the plus symbol on the reaction bar.

This update is in stark contrast to Meta's Messenger app, which only shows five standard emojis as reactions for every message.

WhatsApp extends video call features to messages
Feature expansion

Along with this, WhatsApp has also brought the filters and virtual backgrounds, first introduced for video calls last year, to its messaging service.

Now, you can edit your photos or videos in chats with 30 different visual effects.

The update makes the messaging experience on the platform more personalized and creative.

WhatsApp enables direct sharing of sticker packs in chats
Sticker sharing

Along with the visual effects, WhatsApp has also simplified the process of sharing sticker packs directly in chats.

A new feature lets users convert their selfies into custom stickers by simply tapping on the sticker icon.

However, this "Sticker selfies" feature is only available for Android users at the moment, with iOS support expected to be rolled out "soon," WhatsApp announced.