{
  "id": 1024105,
  "title": "WhatsApp will finally let you react with the emoji you actually want, but there’s a catch",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/whatsapp-will-finally-let-you-react-with-the-emoji-you-actually-want",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-15T11:27:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Digital Trends",
    "slug": "digital-trends",
    "url": "https://www.digitaltrends.com/phones/whatsapp-will-finally-let-you-react-with-the-emoji-you-actually-want-but-theres-a-catch/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "WhatsApp is set to introduce a customizable emoji reaction tray, giving users the ability to replace the default emojis with their own favorites. This feature, currently in testing on Android and iOS, aims to enhance the quick response experience by allowing users to select emojis that best suit their sentiment. The default reaction tray currently consists of six emojis: Thumbs Up, Red Heart, Face with Tears of Joy, Surprised Face, Crying Face, and Folded Hands, followed by the most frequently used emojis. Users can access additional emojis through a plus (+) button. Once the update rolls out, users will be able to access the app settings to swap out any of the six default emojis for their preferred ones. However, this feature is part of the WhatsApp Plus update, which is a paid upgrade, meaning not all users will be able to enjoy it.",
  "summary": "WhatsApp is testing a feature that lets users swap the default reaction tray for emoji they actually use, as part of WhatsApp Plus.",
  "key_points": [
    "WhatsApp adding customizable emoji reactions",
    "Users can replace default emojis with favorites",
    "Feature part of paid WhatsApp Plus update"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}