WhatsApp Unveils Status Reaction Stickers for Quick Viewer Responses

TLDR:

WhatsApp has launched a feature called status reaction stickers that lets users add customizable emoji stickers to their status updates, enabling viewers to tap and send private reactions directly from the app's status tab.

Meta's WhatsApp messaging service rolled out status reaction stickers on February 3, 2026, allowing status posters to embed an emoji sticker onto photos or videos shared in updates.

The addition gives viewers a direct tap point to respond privately with the selected emoji.

Beta testing began in November 2025 for Android and iOS users, with the full release reaching global app users through updates on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

The feature draws from similar interactive elements on Instagram Stories, where stickers prompt user engagement.

Creators access the tool during status composition by selecting the sticker icon, choosing "reaction," and picking an emoji from the library, with the smiling face with heart eyes set as default.

Once placed, the sticker overlays the media content visibly.

Viewers, upon opening the status, see the emoji prominently displayed and can tap it to dispatch an instant reaction, which routes as a private message visible only to the original poster.

Notifications alert creators to each reaction, specifying the contact and emoji used, while a dedicated section in the status activity sheet lists these separately from standard view counts.

"This functionality will allow creators to place a customizable emoji sticker directly on their status before sharing it," according to a report from WABetaInfo.

Credit: WABetaInfo

Animations for the stickers rely on the Lottie framework, ensuring smooth playback across devices without performance drags.

"The animation is backed by the Lottie framework, which delivers smooth, crystal visuals that run seamlessy across various devices with zero performance impact," WABetaInfo stated in its analysis.

The rollout aligns with WhatsApp's ongoing efforts to integrate more expressive tools into ephemeral content sharing, available to over 2 billion users worldwide.

Users must update to the latest app version to access the feature, which appears in the status creation toolbar alongside options for text, music, and location tags.