Months after launching on WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and Messenger, it has started rolling out 3D avatars that can be used as profile photos or custom stickers for its users worldwide.
On Wednesday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote on Facebook that avatars are coming to WhatsApp. The announcement follows a months-long beta test first reported by WhatsApp beta tracker WABetaInfo in June.
In a blog post, WhatsApp said users can use personalized avatars as their profile photo or choose from 36 custom stickers that reflect different emotions and actions. Avatar stickers in WhatsApp are similar to Snap’s Bitmoji or Apple’s Memoji stickers.
“Your avatar is a digital version of you that can be created from billions of combinations of different hairstyles, facial features, and clothes,” said the company behind the popular instant messaging app.
WhatsApp also said that users will receive styling enhancements over time, including lighting, shading, and hairstyle textures.
Users will be able to create their avatars on WhatsApp by going to the Settings menu after it is available. The messaging app will also have a “Use Avatar” option in their profile photo settings to allow users to make their virtual appearance as a profile photo, according to details found on an FAQ page.
In 2019 Meta introduced Bitmoji-style 3D avatars on Facebook and Messenger. Initial rollout was limited to markets such as Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Canada, but the social networking giant later expanded its presence to the US in 2020. Instagram also picked up the avatars in late January.
WhatsApp has confirmed to the press that you cannot currently use your WhatsApp avatar on Instagram or Facebook, and you cannot use your Meta avatar from Instagram or Facebook on WhatsApp. This means that to use an avatar in WhatsApp, you only need to create a new avatar in WhatsApp.