New WhatsApp Feature – Manage Emoji, Sticker & GIF Animations

Published: April 12, 2025

Hey chat lover, here are some details about the New WhatsApp Feature, let’s start to explore.

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, used by billions of people every day to chat, share photos, videos, and stay connected with family and friends.

Now, WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature that lets users control how animated content—like emojis, stickers, and GIFs—appears in their chats.

This might sound like a small change, but it’s actually a big deal for users who prefer a clean and distraction-free chat experience.

If you’ve ever felt annoyed by moving emojis or looping GIFs, this update is just for you. It gives you more control and helps make your chats feel more personal and peaceful.

Table of Content

What’s the New Feature? New WhatsApp Feature
Why Is This Feature Important?
Who Can Use It?
1. Available for
2. Not yet available for
Want to try it early?
New Typing Indicator Another Subtle Change
1. Why is this change important?
Upcoming Features to Watch
Comparison With Other Messaging Apps
Final Thoughts
FAQs

What’s the New Feature? New WhatsApp Feature

WhatsApp has added a brand-new feature that gives users more control over animations in chats.

This means you can now manage how emojis, stickers, and GIFs move when you’re messaging someone.

Before this update, these animated items would play automatically — emojis would bounce, stickers would wiggle, and GIFs would loop non-stop.

For some people, this constant motion was fun, but for others, it was distracting or even annoying.

With this new feature, you can now:

Turn off animated emojis, so they stay still like regular text.
Control sticker animations, so they only move when you tap on them.
Stop GIFs from autoplaying, so they won’t start until you choose to play them.

This is especially helpful for:

Users who get easily distracted by too much movement.
People who want to save battery or reduce mobile data usage.
Those who prefer a clean and calm chatting experience.

Currently, this feature is available in the beta version 2.25.1.10 of WhatsApp for Android users. That means it’s being tested by early users, and it will likely roll out to everyone soon.

If you want to try it early, you can join the WhatsApp Beta Program on Google Play.

Why Is This Feature Important?

At first, it might seem like a small update—but it’s actually a very useful change for many WhatsApp users.

Here’s why:

Less Distraction: Sometimes, moving emojis, stickers, and GIFs can make chats feel too busy. This update helps you focus better by stopping unwanted animations.
More Control: Everyone uses WhatsApp differently. Some like animated chats, others don’t. Now you can choose what works best for you. You decide which animations to keep and which to turn off.
Saves Battery & Data: When animations keep playing in the background, they use more battery and internet data. By turning them off, you can save both—especially helpful if you’re on a limited data plan.
Peaceful Chatting Experience: Not everyone likes flashy or moving images. Some people prefer a simple and calm look. This feature is great for those who like neat and tidy conversations.
In short, this update is all about making WhatsApp more personalized. It lets you control your chat the way you want—without distractions, without extra data use, and with a touch of peace.

How It Works

Using this new feature is very simple! WhatsApp is making it easy for you to manage chat animations right from the settings.

Here’s how it works (currently in beta version for Android):

Open WhatsApp Settings
Go to the main screen of WhatsApp, tap the three dots on the top-right corner, and then select Settings.
Find the Chat Animation Settings
Look for a new option (under “Chats” or “Accessibility” settings – depending on your version). This is where you’ll find the animation controls.

Choose What You Want

You’ll see options to manage:

Animated Emojis – Turn them off if you don’t want them bouncing around.
Stickers – You can set them to animate only when tapped.
GIFs – Stop them from autoplaying in chats.

Save Your Preferences

Once you’ve made your choices, WhatsApp will apply them instantly—no need to restart the app

Note

This feature is currently available for beta testers only (Android beta version 2.25.1.10). But it’s expected to roll out to all users very soon.

If you want to try it now, you can join the WhatsApp Beta Program on Google Play. Just search for WhatsApp, scroll down, and tap “Join the beta” (if slots are open).

Who Can Use It?

Right now, this new feature is only available to WhatsApp beta users on Android.

That means only people who have joined the WhatsApp Beta Program can see and use this update for now.

Available for

Android users
WhatsApp beta version 2.25.1.10 or higher

Not yet available for

Regular (non-beta) users
iPhone (iOS) users – but it may come soon

If you’re not part of the beta program, don’t worry! WhatsApp usually tests new features with beta users first and then rolls them out to everyone after a short time.

So, this animation control feature should be coming to all users very soon.

Want to try it early?

You can join the WhatsApp Beta Program on Google Play Store. Just search for WhatsApp, scroll down, and if there’s space, tap on “Join Beta.”

Keep in mind: Beta versions might have small bugs, but you get to use new features before everyone else.

New Typing Indicator Another Subtle Change

Along with the new control over chat animations, WhatsApp is also introducing a small but interesting update to the typing indicator.

Instead of showing the old text that says “typing…” when someone is writing a message, WhatsApp will now display a bouncing speech bubble.

This little animation shows up when someone is typing, making it look a bit more modern and dynamic. It’s a small change, but it makes WhatsApp feel even more polished and fresh.

Why is this change important?

It enhances the user experience by adding a smooth and subtle animation to the app.

Some users might love it, while others might find it a little distracting. But it’s another example of how WhatsApp is constantly working on making the app look and feel better.

While this update might seem small, it’s part of WhatsApp’s larger goal to improve the interface and keep things modern without going overboard.

Upcoming Features to Watch

WhatsApp is always working on new features to make the app better, and there are some exciting things coming up in the near future.

Here are a few updates you should keep an eye out for:

Real-Time Human Customer Support: Soon, WhatsApp may introduce live customer support for web users. This means if you face any problems while using WhatsApp Web, you could get help from a real person in real-time—no more waiting for email replies!
AI-Powered Replies for Businesses: WhatsApp is also testing AI-powered auto-replies for business accounts. This will help businesses respond faster to messages, especially if they get a lot of customer inquiries. The AI will suggest answers to common questions, making communication quicker and smoother.
UI Changes: WhatsApp is working on some minor user interface (UI) tweaks to make the app even more user-friendly. These updates will make WhatsApp look more modern and might even include more options for personalizing your chats and the app layout.
Better Stickers and GIFs: In the future, you can expect more customizable stickers and improved GIF features. WhatsApp might even add new ways to search for stickers and GIFs to make it easier to find the perfect one for any conversation.

All these changes show that WhatsApp is committed to staying up-to-date with user needs and enhancing its features.

Comparison With Other Messaging Apps

WhatsApp isn’t the only messaging app out there, and it faces tough competition from other platforms like Telegram, Signal, and Facebook Messenger.

So, how does this new animation control feature compare to what other apps are offering?

Telegram already allows users to customize a lot of things, from stickers to chat themes. They also have more advanced options for managing media and animations.

However, WhatsApp’s new feature of controlling emoji and GIF animations brings it more in line with Telegram’s customization options.

Signal

Signal focuses more on privacy and security, but it’s a bit more basic when it comes to customization.

It doesn’t yet have features like animated emojis or stickers that WhatsApp and Telegram offer.

WhatsApp’s new feature of controlling animations will be a welcome addition for users who prefer a more personalized experience without unnecessary distractions.

Facebook Messenger

Messenger also has animated stickers and GIFs, and it lets you control some aspects of notifications.

However, it doesn’t give you as much control over how animations behave during chats.

WhatsApp’s update stands out because it lets you decide if you want animated emojis, stickers, and GIFs to be active or not.

In short, WhatsApp’s new animation control feature puts it on par with some of the more customizable apps like Telegram, while still maintaining the simplicity and user-friendly interface that WhatsApp is known for.

It’s all about giving users more freedom to decide how their chats look and feel.

Final Thoughts

WhatsApp’s new feature, which lets you control chat message animations, is a great update for anyone who wants a more personalized and peaceful chatting experience.

You can now choose to turn off moving emojis, stickers, and GIFs to reduce distractions or save battery.

This update makes WhatsApp even easier to use and gives you more control over how your chats look.

It’s a simple but important change that helps make your WhatsApp experience just the way you like it.

FAQs

What is the new feature in WhatsApp about chat message animations?

WhatsApp’s new feature allows users to control how animations in chats behave. You can now turn off animated emojis, stickers, and GIFs so they don’t move unless you tap them. This gives users more personalization and the option to reduce distractions while chatting. It’s a simple way to make your conversations calmer and less flashy.

How can I use the new animation control feature in WhatsApp?

To use the feature, open WhatsApp, go to Settings, and look for the chat animation settings. There, you can decide if you want animated emojis, stickers, and GIFs to play automatically or only when you tap on them. This setting can be adjusted at any time, giving you full control over your chat experience.

Is this feature available for all WhatsApp users?

Right now, the animation control feature is only available for beta testers using WhatsApp on Android (version 2.25.1.10). It will be rolled out to all users in the future. iPhone (iOS) users will also need to wait for this feature to arrive, but it’s expected soon.

Why would I want to turn off chat animations in WhatsApp?

Turning off chat animations can be helpful if you prefer a simpler, quieter chat experience. It also helps save battery and data, as animated emojis, stickers, and GIFs can use extra resources. If you find too much movement in chats distracting, this feature gives you the ability to keep things calm and tidy.

Will the new feature affect the overall performance of WhatsApp?

No, the new feature will not negatively affect the overall performance of WhatsApp. In fact, by turning off animations, you may even experience faster load times and improved battery life. WhatsApp aims to enhance the user experience with this update, making it more customizable without slowing down the app.

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