According to recent observations, Google Messages now introduces a setting for “Show animated emojis” to turn off interactive effects, animated emojis, and more.
Within the Google Messages settings, you’ll find a new toggle for “Show animated emojis” under Send pictures faster, hear outgoing and incoming message sounds, and pinch to zoom in chat text.
Today, this is enabled by default. Once disabled, animated emojis are replaced with regular emoji characters, though fullscreen effects (which Google recently reconsidered) and interactive effects (👍❤️ 😂 😮 😡 👎 💩 🎉 😠 😢) are no longer present.
However, reactions left on messages will still animate, albeit with subtle motion.
