Faisal Ghaffar 
WhatsApp features have always thrilled its users worldwide. Its new updates and features accompany the necessary privacy and security. The instant messaging app has recently rolled out 3D avatars to make its use more electrifying. The latest update is accessible through Google Play Beta Program for various WhatsApp versions.
Users can now use these exciting avatars as their profile pictures or custom stickers for chats. WhatsApp also rolls out these 3D avatars for users who have accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger.
Mark Zuckerberg, Meta CEO, revealed the availability of the avatars on WhatsApp in his Facebook post yesterday. It is worth mentioning that the announcement of the new feature comes after months of beta testing. WABetaInfo, the WhatsApp beta tracker, reported the testing in June this year.
According to a blog post on WhatsApp, the 3D avatar stickers are similar to Memoji stickers by Apple or Bitmoji by Snapchat. These stickers can be the best choice for users to reflect on numerous actions and emotions during chats. They can also make these avatars personalized and use them as their profile display picture.
Meta representative says personalized avatars are digital versions of users. They contain countless combinations of various facial features, outfits, and hairstyles. They look exciting and come with many expressions and actions that users would love to use during chats with friends and family.
According to WhatsApp, the app will have personalized style enhancements for users who want to use shading, lighting, and hairstyle textures over time. Once the company rolls out the new feature, WhatsApp users will be able to use personalized avatars on the app from its Setting menu.
The 3D avatars will also be accessible through ‘Use Avatar’ in the user profile photo settings. It will allow you to make your virtual twin and use it as your profile picture. You can also get more information on the FAQ page of WhatsApp.
Meta brought 3D avatars for the Facebook app and Messenger in 2019. These avatars were much like Bitmoji style. However, the initial rollout did not benefit all users worldwide. It was limited to New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and Europe, but Meta social network expanded its availability to the United States in 2020. Instagram users also found these avatars in January this year.
According to WhatsApp, users cannot take their app’s avatars on Facebook or Instagram. They cannot use their Meta avatars from said social media platforms on WhatsApp. The clarification makes it clear that WhatsApp users will need to create a new 3D avatar within the instant messaging app only to use it as a profile picture or sticker.
WhatsApp has also brought another update in a presentation sheet designed to cater for the view once messages. The company will make it available for a few beta testers. Earlier, a screenshot protection feature for view once pictures and video clips, though it does not let the user take a screenshot of the image you send through View Once Picture.
