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A reaction message adds an emoji reaction to a specific message in a conversation, just like long-pressing a message in WhatsApp and picking an emoji. You can also remove an existing reaction by sending an empty emoji. You must provide the message_id (wamid) of the message you want to react to.

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Add a reaction

{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "to": "919959623255",
  "type": "reaction",
  "reaction": {
    "message_id": "wamid.HBgMOTE5OTU5NjIzMjU1...",
    "emoji": "👍"
  }
}

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Remove a reaction

Send the same request with an empty string for emoji: 
{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "to": "919959623255",
  "type": "reaction",
  "reaction": {
    "message_id": "wamid.HBgMOTE5OTU5NjIzMjU1...",
    "emoji": ""
  }
}

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Fields

FieldRequiredDescription
reaction.message_idyesThe wamid of the message to react to
reaction.emojiyesAny single Unicode emoji. Empty string removes the reaction.

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Reference image

Reaction example

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Frequently asked

Set type to "reaction", provide the message_id (wamid) of the message you want to react to, and the emoji character in reaction.emoji.
Send the same reaction message with "emoji": "" (empty string).
From the API response when the message was sent (messages[0].id), or from the webhook payload when the message was received.
You can react to messages within the 24-hour customer service window. Reactions to very old messages may fail.

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Gotchas & common mistakes

  • Wrong message_id — the message_id must be the exact wamid of the message. Using a phone number or any other ID will fail.
  • Multiple emojis — only one emoji is supported per reaction.
  • Reacting to your own sent messages — you can react to messages you sent as well as messages you received.