WhatsApp is experimenting with a small but meaningful upgrade to how stickers work on iPhone.
Sticker Suggestions are Now Triggered by Emoji Metadata
In the latest TestFlight beta for iOS, the app introduces emoji-based sticker suggestions that surface directly while you’re typing a message, removing the need to dig through the sticker panel mid-conversation.
The feature was first spotted by WABetaInfo in WhatsApp beta version 26.1.10.72 for iOS, and it mirrors functionality that quietly arrived on Android late last year.
According to WABetaInfo, “WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that suggests stickers as users type their messages,” making sticker replies faster and more contextual. When a user types an emoji that has stickers associated with it, a small sticker icon appears next to the send button. Tapping it opens a compact results view showing relevant stickers and GIFs tied to that emoji.
There’s also a “Show more results” option, allowing users to browse additional suggestions without leaving the chat. The entire interaction stays lightweight and unobtrusive, which fits WhatsApp’s messaging-first design approach.
Under the hood, the system relies on metadata assigned by sticker creators. WABetaInfo explains that “only stickers that include these associations are eligible to appear as suggestions while typing,” ensuring results remain relevant rather than overwhelming. Many third-party sticker creation apps already support assigning multiple emojis to a single sticker, increasing their chances of appearing at the right moment.
Related: WhatsApp Rolls Out Three New Features to Make Group Chats Smarter
There’s a Limitation
One notable limitation remains. Stickers created using WhatsApp’s own built-in sticker tool currently do not support emoji associations, which means they won’t show up in suggestions yet. That said, this feels more like a temporary gap than a permanent one.
While there’s no word on when the feature will roll out publicly, its presence in the latest betas suggests WhatsApp is steadily refining stickers into a more reactive, emoji-driven part of everyday chats.
