WhatsApp says it is now working on a new double-tap message reaction feature for Android beta.
Android Beta is a programme that allows users to try pre-released versions of Android and test drive new features of applications like WhatsApp.
After releasing an Augmented Reality (AR) feature for call effects and filters with the latest WhatsApp update, WhatsApp says it is now developing a new feature to allow users to quickly react to messages with a double-tap.
"WhatsApp is now developing a new feature to allow users to quickly react to messages with a double-tap, and it will be available in a future update," WhatsApp said in a post on X.
WhatsApp says the feature is under development and it will be available in the future.
"This feature enhances interaction by allowing users to quickly react to photos, videos, and GIFs directly from the media viewer screen. It offers a more efficient way to express emotions through emojis and respond to multimedia content without navigating back to the chat view," it added.
The free messaging app says users will only need to open the reaction tray when they want to react with a different emoji than the default heart emoji, adding flexibility while maintaining efficiency.
"It is important to note that an option to disable this feature is not currently planned, and we understand it can cause inconvenience for some users who might accidentally react to old messages while scrolling through their chat history," WhatsApp noted.
WhatsApp promised to inform users as soon as the disable feature for reactions will be available.
WhatsApp is a free cross-platform messaging service.
It lets users of iPhone and Android smartphones and Mac and Windows PC call and exchange text, photo, audio and video messages with others across the globe for free, regardless of the recipient's device.