Gone are the days when to get the latest news from an app you only had to install its most modern version. Server-side activations are frustrating for users, although in the case of whatsapp reactions there are several ways to force the machine. And some of them are quite curious.
Option 1: use the stable version
Although it seems counterproductive, WhatsApp seems to have activated the reactions earlier in its stable version than in its beta version. Therefore, if you are using the beta version of WhatsApp for Android, there is a good chance that reactions will appear when you install the latest official version instead, which as of today is version 2.22.9.78.
Android won’t let you install an older version on top of it (without root, at least) and if you’re part of the WhatsApp for Android beta program, you’re not interested in leaving, because the seats are full and you won’t be able to come back, but you can always uninstall beta version and install stable version from your APK. Remember before making a backup of all your chats.
Option 2: with the new WhatsApp Web
If you use WhatsApp Beta on Android and have no intention of moving to the stable version, there still seems to be a very easy way to use reactions in your account: with whatsapp web. In our tests we have seen how the reactions appeared in our account on WhatsApp Web, while they did not appear on the mobile.
We have been able to verify that this happens with the new version of WhatsApp Web, the one that works independently of the mobile, but not with the previous version. By using WhatsApp Web to send reactions you will be able to see them from your mobile, but not modify or delete them.
Option 3: with WaTweaker and root
If all else fails, you still have one bullet left – WaTweaker WhatsApp mod app. We told you about the application a few years ago -when it was called WaTweaks- and it is a tool with which you can activate hidden functions of WhatsAppas long as you have root permissions.
Between the tweaks that are available in WaTweaker are the one to activate the reactions (something that has been active for everyone for weeks) and the one to send reactionscalled [SEND] Enable reactions. To maximize the chances of success, the ideal is to activate airplane mode, close WhatsApp, activate the option and open WhatsApp. The option to send reactions should then appear.