You can now create WhatsApp avatars — here's how

The WhatsApp avatars promotional image from a Meta blog post.

(Image credit: Meta)

Thanks to the latest update, you can now create a WhatsApp avatar to act as your profile picture on WhatsApp, or to send as stickers to friends in chats.

Given Meta's endless quest to force the avatar-led Metaverse into popularity, it comes as no surprise that the company, which also owns WhatsApp, is now attempting to integrate avatars into its other products. Presumably, the avatars you create in WhatsApp will be usable in the Metaverse at some point.

You can now send your friends and family on WhatsApp a sticker of you that doesn't look anything like you, using 36 whole stickers to express complex human emotions in the bluntest possible terms. It's revolutionary stuff.

How to create a WhatsApp avatar

1. In WhatsApp, tap the Settings cog, bottom right, then tap Avatar.

A screenshot showing the steps required to create a WhatsApp avatar, set one as a profile picture and send one as a sticker.

(Image credit: Future)

2. Tap Create Your Avatar.

A screenshot showing the steps required to create a WhatsApp avatar, set one as a profile picture and send one as a sticker.

(Image credit: Future)

3. Tap Get started.

A screenshot showing the steps required to create a WhatsApp avatar, set one as a profile picture and send one as a sticker.

(Image credit: Future)

4. Choose a skin tone, then tap Next.

A screenshot showing the steps required to create a WhatsApp avatar, set one as a profile picture and send one as a sticker.

(Image credit: Future)

5. Use the bar in the middle of the screen to cycle through avatar elements, such as hair style and colour, body shape, clothes, eyes etc. Tap the mirror icon, top right, to open your frontal camera, if you're going for accuracy.

A screenshot showing the steps required to create a WhatsApp avatar, set one as a profile picture and send one as a sticker.

(Image credit: Future)

6. Tap Done when you're finished.

A screenshot showing the steps required to create a WhatsApp avatar, set one as a profile picture and send one as a sticker.

(Image credit: Future)

7. Tap Save changes to confirm.

A screenshot showing the steps required to create a WhatsApp avatar, set one as a profile picture and send one as a sticker.

(Image credit: Future)

8. Tap Next.

A screenshot showing the steps required to create a WhatsApp avatar, set one as a profile picture and send one as a sticker.

(Image credit: Future)

9. You'll now be taken back to the Avatar menu. Tap Edit Avatar to go back and make changes.

A screenshot showing the steps required to create a WhatsApp avatar, set one as a profile picture and send one as a sticker.

(Image credit: Future)

How to set your WhatsApp avatar as your profile picture

1. In Settings, tap your profile picture to edit your profile, then tap Edit.

A screenshot showing the steps required to create a WhatsApp avatar, set one as a profile picture and send one as a sticker.

(Image credit: Future)

2. Tap Edit.

A screenshot showing the steps required to create a WhatsApp avatar, set one as a profile picture and send one as a sticker.

(Image credit: Future)

3. Tap Use Avatar.

A screenshot showing the steps required to create a WhatsApp avatar, set one as a profile picture and send one as a sticker.

(Image credit: Future)

4. Choose an avatar style and background color. Then tap Done when ready.

A screenshot showing the steps required to create a WhatsApp avatar, set one as a profile picture and send one as a sticker.

(Image credit: Future)

How to send your WhatsApp avatar as a sticker

1. In a chat, tap the sticker icon, then tap the avatar icon.

Screenshots showing the steps required to create a WhatsApp avatar, set one as a profile picture and send one as a sticker.

(Image credit: Future)

2. Tap the avatar sticker you want to send and it'll be sent to the chat.

A screenshot showing the steps required to create a WhatsApp avatar, set one as a profile picture and send one as a sticker.

(Image credit: Future)

There you have it: you've created and utilized your WhatsApp avatar. I'm sure the resemblance is uncanny. If you'd like to read more WhatsApp tutorials, make sure you check out how to create a poll on WhatsApp, how to turn off read receipts on WhatsApp and how to message yourself on WhatsApp.

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Peter is Reviews Editor at Tom's Guide. As a writer, he covers topics including tech, photography, gaming, hardware, motoring and food & drink. Outside of work, he's an avid photographer, specialising in architectural and portrait photography. When he's not snapping away on his beloved Fujifilm camera, he can usually be found telling everyone about his greyhounds, riding his motorcycle, squeezing as many FPS as possible out of PC games, and perfecting his espresso shots.