Highlights
- WhatsApp’s latest iOS beta introduces real-time sticker suggestions, automatically surfacing relevant stickers while typing.
- The feature works by detecting emojis linked to stickers, showing a quick-access icon near the send button.
- Suggestions rely on emoji metadata assigned during sticker creation.
The latest WhatsApp TestFlight build for iOS introduces a new sticker suggestion feature. According to reports, the new feature is aimed at making conversations faster and more intuitive by removing the need to manually open and browse the sticker panel. The feature is designed to surface relevant stickers automatically as users type their messages.
Sticker Suggestions Arrive on WhatsApp iOS Beta
As spotted by WABetaInfo, the newest WhatsApp beta for iOS includes the same sticker suggestion functionality that was rolled out to the Android beta late last year. The feature has been identified in the WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.1.10.72 update, which is currently available via Apple’s TestFlight app.
Following the release of this build, it was observed that WhatsApp is gradually rolling out a system that suggests stickers in real time as users compose messages.
📝 WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.1.10.72: what’s new?
WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that suggests stickers as users type their messages, and it’s available to some beta testers!
Some users can get this feature through earlier updates.https://t.co/gd7k5VTdMR pic.twitter.com/OLuqTCFTqA— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) January 12, 2026
How the New Feature Works?
In its current form, the sticker suggestion tool works directly within the message composer. When a user types or inserts an emoji that has stickers linked to it, WhatsApp displays a small sticker icon on the right side of the input field, positioned next to the send button.
Tapping on this icon opens a results view that shows stickers and GIFs associated with the selected emoji. There is also a “Show more results” option, allowing users to expand the selection without leaving the ongoing chat.
Sticker Metadata Plays a Key Role
According to WABetaInfo, the suggested results are generated based on “predefined emoji associations that are linked to stickers during their creation process”. This indicates that, at least initially, the feature depends on emoji metadata added by sticker creators.
WABetaInfo further explains, “Only stickers that include these associations are eligible to appear as suggestions while typing, ensuring that results remain relevant and contextually accurate. Several third-party sticker creation apps on iOS already support assigning multiple emojis to a single sticker, which improves the chances of the sticker appearing at the right moment. This system helps WhatsApp filter suggestions efficiently, even for users who have many sticker packs downloaded.”
As of now, the sticker suggestion feature currently does not work with stickers created using WhatsApp’s own built-in sticker creation tool. Reports say this is because the feature does not yet support emoji associations. However, this limitation may be addressed before the feature is officially released to all users.
FAQs
Q1. What new feature has WhatsApp introduced in its latest iOS beta?
Answer. The latest WhatsApp iOS beta (v26.1.10.72 via TestFlight) adds real-time sticker suggestions, automatically surfacing relevant stickers while typing to make conversations faster and more intuitive.
Q2. How does the new WhatsApp sticker suggestion tool work?
Answer. When a user types or inserts an emoji linked to stickers, WhatsApp shows a small sticker icon next to the send button. Tapping it opens a results view with related stickers and GIFs, plus a “Show more results” option to expand the selection without leaving the chat.
Q3. What powers the WhatsApp sticker suggestions, and are there any limitations?
Answer. Suggestions are generated using emoji metadata assigned during sticker creation, meaning only stickers with predefined emoji associations appear. Currently, WhatsApp’s built-in sticker creation tool doesn’t support these associations, so its stickers won’t show up in suggestions until this limitation is addressed.