Illustration of WhatsApp testing a customizable six-slot reaction tray on iPhone.
WhatsApp is testing a customizable reaction tray on iPhone that would let users replace its six fixed message reactions, 👍, ❤️, 😂, 😮, 😢, and 🙏, with other emojis from the keyboard. Reactions are the quick-tap emoji responses attached to messages. The feature is still under development and is not live, even for beta testers. There is also an open question over access, with signs it could be reserved for a premium or Plus tier, though that is not settled.
WhatsApp’s six reaction emojis may soon be editable on iPhone
Today, WhatsApp’s reaction tray on iOS gives users the same six defaults every time they long-press a message or open the reaction picker: 👍, ❤️, 😂, 😮, 😢, and 🙏. In the test, users would be able to replace any of those six pinned reactions with an emoji they choose from the keyboard.
That is a small interface change, but it has a clear practical use for heavy WhatsApp users. Teams that handle customer replies, order updates, confirmations, or internal approvals often fall back on the same few reactions repeatedly. Being able to pin the reactions people actually use most could cut a step out of busy chats and make quick responses more consistent across a workflow.
A settings-based tray with a reset back to default
Users would change the reaction tray in WhatsApp settings, rather than through a per-chat toggle. That suggests the change would apply to the main reaction tray users see across WhatsApp, instead of forcing them to manage reactions conversation by conversation. For operators who use WhatsApp all day, a global setting is the more useful version: set it once, then keep the same reaction shortcuts everywhere.
The same setup appears to include a way to restore WhatsApp’s default tray at any time. That gives users room to experiment without losing the original six-reaction layout permanently. In practice, the feature looks less like a broad redesign of reactions and more like a focused personalization tool for the six pinned slots that already sit at the front of the experience.
Paid access and Android remain open questions
The biggest unanswered point is who will get the feature when WhatsApp eventually turns it on. It is not clear whether any paid gate would sit under WhatsApp Plus, a general premium subscription, or another plan entirely.
Other rollout details are still unclear too. There is no confirmed public release timeline, and it is also unclear whether Android will get the feature on the same schedule as iPhone. For users deciding whether to wait for it, the key unknown is scope: when it launches, it is still not clear which devices and which account tier will actually get customizable reactions first.
Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI. Images are for illustrative purposes only.
About the author
Samarth Agrawal is an AI and technology professional who writes about WhatsApp, automation, and emerging AI trends. He focuses on simplifying complex tech updates into practical insights for businesses, creators, and everyday users
