WhatsApp releases new features, rolls out personalized avatars for beta users

According to a report by Wabetainfo, the new WhatsApp beta for Android gives users the option of expressing themselves using avatars instead of the normal profile pictures.

WhatsApp beta users can personalize their identity by setting up a digital expression using the feature which can be found in the WhatsApp Settings. 

Users can know if they can access the new feature if they can see a new section called ‘Avatar’ in the WhatsApp settings although for now, the feature is reserved for WhatsApp Beta users, a community of people who test out new features in the app.

This according to Meta, will enable the company to use this test phase to discover any final bugs or issues with the feature. Recall Meta had already introduced the use of avatars for Facebook users in 2019.

Then it was just available for Messenger and the News Feed before they became available to use in Facebook comments and stories in 2020.

Earlier this year, Meta further developed a new 3D look for its avatars on Facebook and Instagram. It also started letting users add them to feed posts, Facebook profile pictures, and Instagram Stories.

There are also future possibilities for using avatars during video calls or sending messages on Whatsapp.

Later features will include generating loads of sticker packs of a particular avatar chosen by a user. Users can then use these avatars in different poses to express themselves while chatting with their contacts.

While WhatsApp has already started test-running this feature for beta users, It's not known when other android users and iOS users can join in using this feature.