You can now react to your emails with emojis in Gmail

Google is turning email into something more conversational. Gmail is rolling out emoji reactions, allowing users to respond to messages with a simple tap instead of crafting a full reply. This new feature aims to bring the speed and ease of messaging platforms like Google Chat or Slack into the world of email.

Emoji reactions make email more expressive

The new emoji reactions in Gmail let you quickly acknowledge or respond to messages without sending a full reply. Whether it’s a thumbs up to confirm a meeting or a party popper to celebrate a milestone, emoji reactions offer a personal and expressive way to interact with emails. They appear to everyone in the email thread, reducing the clutter of repetitive responses.

Google says this feature is especially useful in group conversations, where multiple confirmations or acknowledgements can be overwhelming. Instead of replying “Got it” or “Thanks” to every email, a quick emoji reaction keeps things efficient and friendly.

There are some limitations

Despite its potential, the feature won’t be universally available or functional. Reactions won’t work if you’re not using Gmail, if you’re using an outdated app version, or if your administrator has disabled them in work or school accounts. Other restrictions include group emails with more than 20 recipients, messages where you’re in BCC, and encrypted emails.

Reactions are off by default in Google Workspace, and administrators can enable or restrict them through the admin console. For now, only Gmail users will enjoy the full experience — others will simply receive an email that says, for example, “Ana reacted via Gmail.”

Rollout timeline

Emoji reactions are launching now for rapid release domains, with full visibility expected in 15 days. Scheduled domains will begin receiving the feature from May 13, 2025.