WhatsApp has begun to launch 3D avatars worldwide, which can serve as profile pictures or custom stickers — months after they were first seen on Instagram, Facebook and Messenger.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, declared on Facebook that avatars are arriving to WhatsApp after a period of beta testing that began in June, as reported by WABetaInfo, a WhatsApp beta tracker.
In a blog post, WhatsApp stated that users can now create personalized avatars to use as their profile photos or choose from one of 36 custom stickers which depict various emotions and activities. The avatars appear to be 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 diverse hair styles, facial features, and outfits,” WhatsApp declared.
WhatsApp declared that users would experience aesthetic advancements such as lighting, shading, and hair textures in the future.
Users will be able to generate their avatars on WhatsApp – after it is released – by accessing the Settings menu. The messaging app will also have a ‘Use Avatar’ option in the profile photo settings to help users make their virtual likeness as a profile photo, according to data seen on an FAQ page.In 2019, Meta launched 3D Bitmoji-style avatars on Facebook and Messenger, initially in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Canada, with the U.S. added in 2020. Later in January, Instagram too saw the introduction of avatars.