Google is in the process of introducing a feature that will enable Gmail users on iOS and Android devices to react to emails with a single emoji.
The anticipation of emoji reactions in Gmail has been circulating for a while, and recently, an industry insider named AssembleDebug managed to test the feature on an Android device, sharing their findings on TheSpAndroid blog.
According to the report, a new button will be added “to the right of the email” alongside the three-dot menu. When tapped, this button will open a small menu offering users a choice of five default emojis: a sparkling heart, a party popper, a thumbs up, a laughing face, praying hands (often used to express gratitude), and the classic smiley face. Once an emoji is selected, it appears in a reaction bar below the message, similar to how it works in messaging platforms.
TheSpAndroid also notes that there will be two additional locations from which users can react to an email. An “Add Reaction” option will be available in the three-dot menu, and an extra button will be placed at the bottom of an email, next to the options to Reply, Reply All, and Forward.
This feature is expected to work for email threads that involve multiple recipients, allowing users to react by tapping emojis previously added by others. Additionally, users will have the option to send any emoji they prefer by tapping the plus symbol in the small window that appears, granting access to the full emoji library.
However, there are limitations to this update that need to be considered. One particular limitation may hinder the experience, as emoji reactions will be sent as separate emails to recipients who do not use the official mobile app. This could result in multiple “emails of emoji reactions,” potentially causing inconvenience. Additionally, it’s important to note that the browser version of Gmail might not support the new emoji feature.
To address the potential spam issue, Google has implemented a restriction where users won’t be able to react to emails sent to large groups. Despite this measure, it may not entirely eliminate the problem. Furthermore, emoji reactions cannot be sent for encrypted emails or those received via BCC (blind carbon copy). The maximum limit for reactions is set at 20 for individual emails, while in group emails, the limit is increased to 50.
The exact rollout date for this update is yet to be confirmed, but AssembleDebug suggests it will likely occur in batches, possibly within the current month. With the introduction of emoji reactions, users are hopeful that Google will address potential spam concerns or add extra preventative measures to mitigate the issue.
While Gmail remains widely popular, some users may find its security capabilities lacking. For enhanced email security options, you can explore TechRadar’s list of the best secure email providers for 2023.
Update 10-3-2023: A Google representative informed us that emoji reactions are being rolled out to the Gmail app on Android. Following this initial launch, Google intends to collect user feedback before extending the same update to web and iOS users by the end of the year. Instructions for adding or removing emoji reactions can be found on the official Gmail Help support website.
