WhatsApp is rolling out a revamped emoji reaction panel, now available to Android beta testers, offering a more efficient and user-friendly interface across the messaging platform.
The update, found in WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.6.15 on the Google Play Store, brings a major redesign to how emoji reactions are displayed within the app, making the layout more organized and easier to navigate.
The most noticeable change is the new grid format for reactions, which now arranges emojis in rows of four. This update addresses the limitations of the previous vertical list format, which became cumbersome, especially in channels where reactions tend to pile up.
WABetaInfo, which first reported the update, noted that the grid layout significantly reduces the need for vertical scrolling, making it simpler to locate specific reactions.
For personal chats and groups, WhatsApp will continue using the vertical list format, displaying contact names alongside their reactions, preserving the context of who responded to messages. However, this format also gets a visual refresh, with redesigned tabs at the top of the reaction panel, giving it a more modern look.
The design changes reflect the different ways reactions are used across the platform. In channels, where follower identities are hidden unless they’re in a user’s contacts, the grid layout optimizes space efficiency. In personal conversations, the vertical list remains intact but benefits from the new, cleaner design.
Meta-owned WhatsApp plans to gradually roll out this updated emoji reaction experience to more users in the coming weeks following the beta testing phase.
