After appearing on Instagram and Messenger, Facebook’s Bitmoji-style avatars are now making their way to Whatsapp. According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is adding support for customizable avatars in the current 2.22.23.9 beta for Android, but only for a subset of users.
Those who have access to the functionality will see a new “Avatar” category in their settings menu, which they may use to personalize their digital self. WhatsApp will then build a sticker pack with the avatar in different positions, much like Meta’s other products, which users can use to express themselves while texting family and friends.
WhatsApp is releasing the ability to set up an avatar to some lucky beta testers on WhatsApp beta for Android!
An avatar is the best way to express yourself on WhatsApp: let's configure an avatar so you can share personalized stickers with your friends.https://t.co/rISRcluygb pic.twitter.com/E5cBNqKEtF
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) October 21, 2022
The functionality was initially identified by WABetaInfo last month, but it is now being rolled out to users. It’s unknown when WhatsApp will make the functionality available to all Android users, or when it will make the feature available on iOS. The Verge’s request for comment was met with silence from Meta.
Avatars were originally launched by Meta in 2019 on Messenger and the News Feed before being made accessible for usage in Facebook comments and articles in 2020. The business gave its avatars a new 3D design earlier this year and began allowing users to add them to feed articles, Facebook profile images, and Instagram Stories. Aigerim Shorman, Meta’s general manager for avatars and identities, lauded the upgrade at the time as part of Meta’s attempts to flesh out its concept of the metaverse, which encompasses not just virtual and augmented reality, but also “more familiar platforms like your phone and PC.”
