WhatsApp adds 8 emoji categories on Apple Watch

Reacting to a message on Apple Watch has meant picking from the same six emojis for over a year, regardless of what the moment actually called for. WhatsApp is finally fixing that, rolling out full emoji reaction support so wrist-based replies can match whatever's available on the phone.

WhatsApp's Apple Watch companion app launched last year alongside the iOS 25.34.75 update, letting users read and reply to messages without reaching for their phone.

Reactions were part of that first version, but the tray was capped at six emojis, meaning anyone wanting anything outside that narrow set had to switch back to their iPhone to finish the job.

What’s new in Apple Watch’s WhatsApp?

The basic interaction remains the same: tapping and holding a message will bring up the quick reaction grid with six emojis displayed initially.

However, there is a new option in the form of a button in the grid that will open the keyboard with emojis, where the user will see recently used emojis on top and eight categories of all other emojis: Smileys & People, Nature, Food & Drink, Activities, Travels, Objects, Symbols, and Flags.

WhatsApp has optimised the interface for display on the smaller screen of a smartwatch.

The "+" button in the reactions tray on the iPhone already allows you to access the full emoji palette, and this update simply allows for this feature to be consistent across devices.

There is no difference between the reactions made using either the Apple Watch or iPhone, except that now the Apple Watch user can make use of the same emojis as the iPhone.

Reactions exist to let people respond fast without typing, and that's especially valuable on a device with limited input options to begin with.