TL;DR
WhatsApp’s latest iOS TestFlight build adds inline sticker suggestions that appear when users insert emojis tied to stickers. The feature uses emoji tags set by sticker creators and currently excludes stickers made with WhatsApp’s own built-in creator.
What happened
In the TestFlight release of WhatsApp for iOS (build 26.1.10.72), the app surfaces sticker recommendations as users type. When a typed emoji matches tags assigned to stickers, a small sticker icon appears next to the message input’s send button. Tapping that icon opens a results panel that displays stickers and GIFs associated with the emoji; users can expand the set using a “Show more results” button without leaving the conversation. The matching system depends on emoji associations added during sticker creation, so only sticker packs that include those tags will be suggested. WABetaInfo first reported the rollout on iOS, noting the capability previously arrived on Android. At present, the stickers produced with WhatsApp’s built-in sticker editor don’t include the necessary emoji associations, though the company could update that behavior before a public release.
Why it matters
- Reduces friction by surfacing relevant stickers inline instead of opening the sticker panel.
- Depends on metadata added by sticker creators, increasing the importance of third-party sticker tools.
- Users with many sticker packs may see more accurate suggestions because of emoji tagging.
- Stickers created with WhatsApp’s native tool may not appear in suggestions initially, limiting coverage.
Key facts
- Feature observed in WhatsApp TestFlight iOS build 26.1.10.72.
- A small sticker icon shows up on the right side of the message input when a typed emoji has tagged stickers.
- Tapping the icon opens a results view with associated stickers and GIFs; a “Show more results” option enlarges the selection.
- Suggestion logic is based on emoji associations added when stickers are created (sticker metadata).
- Several third-party iOS sticker-creation apps already allow assigning multiple emojis to a single sticker.
- Stickers created using WhatsApp’s built-in sticker creator currently do not support the emoji associations required for suggestions.
- The feature previously appeared in WhatsApp’s Android beta late in the prior year.
- WABetaInfo reported the discovery; WhatsApp may alter behavior before an official rollout.
What to watch next
- Whether WhatsApp will add emoji-association support to its built-in sticker creator (the source says this could change before release).
- Timing and scope of the public rollout beyond TestFlight iOS and earlier Android beta: not confirmed in the source.
- If WhatsApp expands suggestion signals beyond creator-added emoji tags (for example, using text or usage patterns): not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- TestFlight: Apple’s platform for distributing beta versions of iOS apps to testers before public release.
- Sticker metadata: Information attached to a sticker—such as emoji tags or keywords—used to categorize and surface the sticker in searches or suggestions.
- Emoji association: An emoji tag linked to a sticker during creation so that the sticker can be suggested when that emoji is used.
- Sticker pack: A collection of related stickers distributed together within a messaging app.
Reader FAQ
Where was this feature first spotted?
WABetaInfo reported the sticker suggestion tool in the WhatsApp iOS TestFlight build 26.1.10.72.
How does WhatsApp choose which stickers to suggest?
Suggestions are selected based on emoji associations assigned to stickers during their creation.
Will stickers made with WhatsApp’s built-in editor be suggested?
Currently they are incompatible because the built-in editor does not add the required emoji associations, though that may change.
Is the feature already available on Android?
The article says the sticker suggestion tool reached the Android beta late last year.
When will the feature be available to all users?
not confirmed in the source
Apple confirms Google’s Gemini will power new Siri features Chance Miller Jan 12 2026 WHATSAPP WhatsApp testing emoji-based sticker suggestions on iOS Marcus Mendes | Jan 12 2026 – 3:02 pm…
Sources
- WhatsApp testing emoji-based sticker suggestions on iOS
- WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.1.10.72: what's new?
- WhatsApp AI stickers on Android and iOS: How to create, …
- WhatsApp is testing sticker suggestions based on what you …
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