Meta has recently released its bitmoji-style 3D avatars on WhatsApp, allowing users to use their digital persona at a profile pic or in stickers. These stickers packs mimics popular emoji and actions, just with your own digital avatar instead of the generic versions of the icons. WhatsApp sees avatars both as personalization and as a privacy feature.
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According to the company, users can represent themselves in a conversation with the avatars without having to share a photo that could be misused for stalking or other sinister purposes.
“Sending an avatar is a fast and fun way to share feelings with friends and family. It can also be a great way to represent yourself without using your real photo so it feels more private,” Meta said in a statement.
As is the case with many of Meta’s other customisation features, the avatar system works across platforms, so the character you create for WhatsApp can be used with Facebook, Instagram or VR spaces like Horizon Worlds.
“For many people, this will be the first time creating an avatar and we’ll continue to deliver style enhancements including lighting, shading, hair style textures and more that will make avatars even better over time,” the company said.
This addition to WhatsApp has been expected for some time, of course, as Meta announced months ago the aim is to make them available across platforms. It doesn’t come as a surprise that Meta would go this route either, as they tend to ‘take inspiration’ from other platforms and make similar features. Snapchat, arguably the inspiration for the avatars, has had bitmoji reactions and replies since the start of the year. Even TikTok has avatars you can use in videos. Apple’s Messages, meanwhile, has offered “Memoji” for years.
Nevertheless, it is a welcomed feature to have on the platform. It should help WhatsApp compete for attention with those other services, of course, but it also promises a more consistent experience whether or not you use Meta’s other social platforms.
