MENLO PARK, California: WhatsApp is preparing to introduce a new feature called “double-tap message reaction”, as reported by WABetainfo.
This function, already familiar to Instagram DM users, will soon be available on WhatsApp, another platform owned by Meta.
The feature is currently being tested on Android through the latest beta version. To access it, you need to be part of the WhatsApp Android beta program, which can be joined via the Play Store when spots are available, as they fill up quickly.
The new feature allows users to double-tap any message to quickly react with a heart emoji, similar to Instagram. This can be done directly from the media viewer screen for photos, videos, and GIFs, making the reaction process faster by saving the time needed for a long press and selection.
For those who wish to use a different emoji, the traditional method of long pressing on a message to open the reaction tray will still be available. However, the double-tap feature cannot be disabled, which might cause issues for users who accidentally react to old messages while scrolling through chat history.
As this feature is still in the beta phase, it is expected to roll out to all users in the coming weeks or months.
