A new WhatsApp update brings support for all of the new emoji characters introduced with the latest Android upgrade. Users will now be able to view the latest emojis and send them, which will be super useful to those who have friends on iOS.

Full support for the latest emoji characters, which came with Android 6.0.1 back in early December, has been available in the WhatsApp beta for a little while — but now it’s rolling out to all in version 2.12.372.

This change means WhatsApp for Android is now on par with the iOS version — but there is a catch.

You can only view and use the latest emojis if you’re running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow; previous versions simply don’t support them, so they won’t show up. This update is really only good for you if you’re handset maker is on the ball with Android upgrades, then.

Sadly, most aren’t, so unless you’re running a Nexus (or an HTC One A9), you’re probably not going to see the difference just yet. But at least when you finally do get Android 6.0.1, WhatsApp will be ready for all the new emojis it brings.

Like all WhatsApp updates, this one’s rolling out in stages, so if you don’t get it today, it will be with you soon.

• ViaAndroid Police
• Google Play StoreWhatsApp