WhatsApp introduced reactions to acknowledge a message with different emojis. It’s a neat trick to let someone know you have read their messages. By default, WhatsApp enables reaction notifications on your phone and desktop. While it’s useful in some cases, you may find constant reaction notifications irritating. Here’s how to disable WhatsApp reaction notifications.
Frequent reaction notifications from WhatsApp can disrupt your workflow. We highly recommend disabling reaction notifications on WhatsApp. Thankfully, the Facebook-owned company offers an option to turn off message reaction notifications in WhatsApp for Android, iPhone, and desktop. Let’s start with the mobile apps and move to the desktop.
What Is Reaction Notification in WhatsApp
When someone reacts to your WhatsApp message, media, or file, you receive an alert from the company about the same. You can check the screenshot below for reference.
WhatsApp sends you reaction notifications for personal and group chats. It’s even more distracting in groups where you receive several reaction notifications from other group members.
Disable WhatsApp Reaction Notifications on Android
WhatsApp lets you set custom notification tones, vibration patterns, call ringtones, and LED indicators for personal and group chats. However, the same isn’t available for reactions. Once you disable WhatsApp reaction notifications from settings, the app turns off the same all your chats.
Step 1: Open WhatsApp on Android. Tap the three vertical dots menu at the top-right corner and select Settings.
Step 2: Select Notifications.
Step 3: Disable the Reaction Notifications toggle under the Messages menu.
From now on, WhatsApp won’t alert you when someone reacts to your sent message.
Step 4: You can disable Reaction Notifications for WhatsApp groups from the same menu.
We recommend disabling reaction notifications for WhatsApp groups and keeping them on for personal chats.
Turn off Message Reaction Notifications in WhatsApp for iPhone
You can disable message reaction notifications in WhatsApp for iPhone too. Go through the steps below to make changes.
Step 1: Launch WhatsApp on your iPhone.
Step 2: Tap the Settings icon at the bottom-right corner. Select Notifications.
Step 3: Disable the Reaction Notifications toggle for message and group notifications.
When you disable reaction notifications for groups, WhatsApp turns off the same for community groups too. Read our dedicated post to learn the differences between WhatsApp communities and groups.
Turn off Message Reaction Notifications on WhatsApp Desktop
WhatsApp offers feature-rich desktop apps on Windows and Mac. The company is working on native apps for both platforms, but they are still in beta and far from perfect.
Besides, WhatsApp doesn’t sync your notification preferences on the desktop. If you disable WhatsApp’s reaction notifications on your phone, the company doesn’t turn off the same on Windows or Mac. You continue to receive reaction notifications during work hours. Let’s disable it, shall we?
Note: We will use the stable WhatsApp desktop app in the screenshots below at the time of writing this post. The current app uses the same user interface on Windows and Mac. We have used screenshots from the WhatsApp for Mac app in the steps. You can follow the same on WhatsApp for Windows to turn off reaction notifications.
Step 1: Open WhatsApp on the desktop. Click the down arrow at the top-right corner.
Step 2: Select Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications.
Step 4: Uncheck the box next to ‘Show reaction notifications’ option from the following menu.
How to Turn on Reaction Notifications on WhatsApp
Do you have a change of heart and want to enable reaction notifications on WhatsApp again? You can easily enable reaction alerts on WhatsApp for mobile and desktop. You need to follow steps mentioned above and head to WhatsApp settings to enable reaction notifications for personal chats and groups.
How to Check Message Reactions on WhatsApp
Now that you have turned off message reaction notifications on WhatsApp, the app won’t send any alerts about the same. To check message reactions, you need to open the app and check them from the chat list.
Unlike new messages, WhatsApp won’t place such conversations at the top.
Prevent Distractions From WhatsApp
Frequent reaction notification from WhatsApp leads to an unproductive day. If they are not useful to you, use the tricks above to turn off message reaction notifications in WhatsApp. How do you use WhatsApp reactions? Are they useful in your daily communication? Share your opinion in the comments below.
Last updated on 16 June, 2023
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
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DID YOU KNOW
The founders of WhatsApp, Jan Koum and Brian Acton, were both rejected by Facebook and Twitter in interviews.
