Update (5/14/20 @ 10:15 AM ET): Emoji chat reactions in RCS conversations are widely rolling out for users on the latest Google Messages beta.

An APK teardown of Google Messages beta (v5.7) from earlier this year revealed that the company was working to add two new features to the app. At the time, we learned that these new features would allow users to share emoji reactions to messages on the platform and draw on images that they are preparing to share with friends. Now, according to a recent post on Reddit, Google has finally started rolling out emoji chat reactions for RCS conversations.

A couple of Google Messages users on the thread have reported seeing the new feature after updating the app to the latest beta release. As you can see in the screenshots below, the new chat reactions feature works a lot like Facebook Messenger's reactions and lets users reply to any message with an emoji. The feature currently appears to have a total of 7 emoji reactions, including thumbs up, thumbs down, angry face, face with tears of joy, smiling face with heart eyes, crying face, and surprised face.

To access the emoji chat reactions, all you need to do is tap and hold on a message and then select an appropriate emoji from the selection on offer. It's worth noting that the chat reactions feature is only rolling out to a handful of users right now, which leads us to believe that it isn't part of the latest Google Messages beta release and has been enabled by a server-side update. In case you're in a region where Google Messages supports RCS, you can sign up for the open beta program by following this link and download the latest beta release from the Play Store link below to check if you've received the new feature.

Messages by Google Developer: Google LLC
Price: Free
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Screenshots courtesy of u/rwinftw and u/radtheoristmango


Update: Wider Rollout

The emoji chat reactions feature that was spotted in Messages beta is now rolling out more widely. The latest beta seems to enable the feature for most people now. Simply tap and hold a message and select an emoji for a reaction. If both users have RCS support, it should work. Sign up for the beta here or download the app from here.

Via: Reddit u/rpratta1