Avatar has now become one of the ways for WhatsApp users to interact with their friends and family. Soon, WhatsApp users will also be able to send animated avatars, similar to Memoji on the iPhone.
The news about animated avatars on WhatsApp comes from WABetaInfo. According to their report, WhatsApp is currently developing a feature for animated avatars that will be released soon.
This feature was discovered in the WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.23.15.6. Although the feature can be accessed through the beta program on Google Play, it is currently not available to beta testers as it is still in the development stage.
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From the screenshots shared by WABetaInfo, animated avatars on WhatsApp will have various expressions and movements. These animated avatars will also be divided into several categories such as 'Love,' 'Happy,' 'Greeting,' and many more.
At first glance, the animated avatars being developed by WhatsApp appear similar to iOS' Memoji. Although they may seem to be merely cosmetic enhancements, animated avatars can at least provide a more expressive chatting experience.
Animated avatars themselves are not something new or unfamiliar to iPhone users, as Memoji has supported animated avatars since 2018, coinciding with the launch of iOS 12, as quoted from Android Police on Friday (July 14, 2023).
With this feature, Android users no longer need to envy iOS users who can send animated avatars. However, it is still unknown when WhatsApp will launch the animated avatar feature for all users.
This new feature will complement the recent update brought by WhatsApp regarding avatars on Android and iOS. Not long ago, WhatsApp announced a new feature that allows users to automatically create avatars by simply taking a photo, as well as expanding the options for avatars that can be sent.