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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Dayna McAlpine

WhatsApp announces major change to service that will affect everyone with app

Popular messaging platform WhatsApp has announced a major change to its service - which will affect all users of the app.

Friends and family will now have the chance to react to what you say with WhatsApp's latest update - giving users the opportunity to show their feelings in the same way as on Facebook Messenger.

Phone users will even be able to manage message-reaction notifications without unlocking.

Though the app update is yet to be installed en masse, some users will already be able to use the new 'reaction' technology, the Daily Star reports.

iPhone users will get first dibs on the update - with changes expected to allow the management of group and individual chat notifications.

WhatsApp insiders WABetaInfo said: "You are now able to manage when you should receive notifications for reactions, for individual chats and groups, and which tone to play when you receive those notifications.

"Unfortunately, it's still not possible to react to messages, but the fact it's possible to manage these settings suggests that message reactions will be available very soon."

Here's how to register for the new update and try it out before everyone else:

  1. Open WhatsApp and tap the three dots, then head to 'More Options'
  2. Tap Linked Devices
  3. Hit 'Multi-device beta'
  4. Tap 'Join beta'

Once you've joined the beta programme, you'll be able to try out every new version of WhatsApp before it is released to the general public.

And with not all the features ever reaching general use it's a good opportunity to try out some secret tech.

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