WhatsApp’s Beta users are the only ones with access to the new features for now
(Picture: PA Archive)WhatsApp is bringing out new personalised ‘avatars’ for users - and the new feature is already available to some select beta testers.
WABetaInfo said users of the instant messaging app would be able to select an avatar to serve as their WhatsApp user image, instead of a photo like now.
You’ll know if the option becomes available to you if you can see a new section called ‘Avatar’ in the settings of WhatsApp.
For now, it seems to be reserved for WhatsApp Beta users, a community of people who test out new features in the app.
As displayed in the screenshot above, you’ll be able to fully customise your avatar, as well as choose different facial expressions and props for it to interact with. WhatsApp will also automatically create a new sticker pack so you can share stickers with your friends and family.
There’s no word on when the feature will be fully rolled out out to all users. However, because the new feature has only recently been made available to some Beta users, if you can create and customise your own avatar already, then you may find there are some minor issues during the process. This is because Meta will be using this test phase to iron out any final bugs or problems with the feature.
Future possibilities for avatars could also include being able to use them during video calls or to send messages. This is much like how voice messages can be sent with an animated avatar on Apple’s instant messaging service iMessage.
While it can be a fun added feature, there’s also the concern of being able to use avatars to hide behind an online persona anonymously. With more and more social media platforms clamping down on fake accounts and promoting authenticity online, the test phase could also result in Meta putting more safety guidelines in place around WhatsApp avatars. These could include being able to send and display them only to friends and saved contacts.
