A secret middle finger emoji was been discovered in WhatsApp’s source code yesterday, which was initially spotted by a student at Staffordshire University named Stephen Wilkinson. He found the middle finger emoji in WhatsApp’s desktop version hidden in one of the folders of the code. The offensive emoji was apparently approved by industry standard Unicode 7, as well as by Microsoft for use in its next and final Windows 10 OS scheduled for a launch on July 29.
Users who wish to use the emoji need to download the latest APK file for WhatsApp. Android Police notes that users need to copy the emoji from the middle finger emojipedia page or the graphemica page. An empty box is displayed on stock Android, though other OEMs might display it correctly. Just select the emoji or empty box and copy it, then head over to any WhatsApp conversation and paste it. Users with WhatsApp versions 2.12.194 and 2.12.197 will get to see the emoji. However, those with the version 2.12.176 currently found on the PlayStore won’t be able to find it.
Sadly iPhone users won’t be ‘flipping the bird’ as the character for now is only available on Android, though it is expected to arrive soon. The middle finger emoji was approved back in mid-2014 as a part of Unicode 7 (an open computing standard), and Windows 10 became the first major OS to adopt it. Notably, the emoji will be available in Windows 10 in five new skin tone options, along with the standard gray tone.
While earlier, WhatsApp’s web version known as WhatsApp Web recently got an update bringing a slew nifty upgrades including the ability to change profile pics and status message directly from the web. Moreover, the web version now offers users more control over their chats and groups with the addition of a quick action menu. WhatsApp Web client is currently compatible with the updated version of WhatsApp on Android, Windows Phone, and BlackBerry devices. However, iPhones won’t be getting this feature due to ‘platform limitations’, according to WhatsApp chief Jan Koum.
