WhatsApp is testing new sticker suggestions in iOS chats

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WhatsApp is gradually expanding its chat features with small but effective improvements. The current iOS beta testing a feature designed to significantly simplify sticker use. Emoji-based sticker suggestions appear directly as you type, eliminating the need to manually browse the sticker overview in many cases.

Stickers have been an integral part of WhatsApp for years and are used extensively by many users. However, with the growing number of sticker packs, the selection quickly becomes overwhelming. This is precisely where the new testing feature comes in, which is already familiar from the Android beta and is now also being rolled out to iOS.

New feature in the WhatsApp iOS beta

A sticker suggestion tool has been discovered in the latest iOS TestFlight version of WhatsApp, 26.1.10.72, which works directly within the message editor. The feature was reported by WABetaInfo and is technically very similar to the solution that was introduced in the Android beta at the end of last year.

While a message is being written, WhatsApp now reacts to inserted emojis. As soon as an emoji linked to certain stickers is used, a small sticker icon appears on the right side of the text field, directly next to the send button.

This is how the sticker suggestions work

Tapping the sticker icon opens a results view displaying relevant stickers and GIFs. These are directly related to the previously inserted emoji. The chat remains open, so the flow of conversation is not interrupted.

Additionally, there's an option called "Show more results." This allows you to expand the selection of suggested stickers without leaving the current conversation. The feature is clearly designed for speed and convenience.

Emoji assignments as a technical basis

The displayed stickers are not based on an automatic analysis of the chat content, but on predefined emoji assignments. This metadata is stored when a sticker is created. Sticker creators can assign one or more emojis to a sticker to reflect its meaning or mood.

WhatsApp relies exclusively on these associations. Only stickers containing the corresponding emoji metadata can appear as suggestions during typing. This ensures the selection remains relevant and thematically appropriate.

Advantages of many sticker packs

The system really shines for users with extensive sticker collections. Instead of searching through all installed sticker packs, WhatsApp pre-filters the results. Many third-party sticker apps for iOS already support assigning multiple emojis to a single sticker. This increases the likelihood that the right sticker will be suggested at the right moment. At the same time, this method helps WhatsApp efficiently limit the number of suggestions, even when a large number of stickers are installed.

Limitations of the integrated sticker editor

Currently, the new feature doesn't seem to work with stickers created directly with WhatsApp's built-in sticker creator. This is because that tool doesn't currently support emoji associations. Whether this will change is unclear. However, it's possible that WhatsApp will expand its sticker editor accordingly before the feature's official release.

WhatsApp: A simple system with a clear effect

With emoji-based sticker suggestions, WhatsApp is testing a practical addition for iOS that can significantly speed up sticker use. The feature relies on simple, clearly defined metadata instead of complex analyses, ensuring reliability and clarity. Even though the feature is still in the testing phase, its potential for everyday use in WhatsApp chats is already evident. (Image: ibphoto / DepositPhotos.com)