WhatsApp is rolling out a fresh update just in time for New Year’s Eve, packed with new features to help you add a festive touch to your messages and calls. The update brings a new sticker pack, fun video call effects, animated reactions, and more, making it easier to spread the New Year’s cheer.
In a recent blog post, WhatsApp says it has added a new 2026 sticker pack for the occasion and introduced new video call effects that let users add fireworks, confetti, and star animations to their video calls. The messenger is also bringing back special reactions, and users will now see a confetti animation when they use the confetti emoji to react to messages.
The update also brings animated stickers to WhatsApp’s Status feature, giving users a 2026-themed layout with an animated sticker to share New Year’s greetings. Alongside these features, WhatsApp has highlighted a few tips to help users effectively plan their New Year’s get-togethers.
The Meta-owned messaging app notes that users can create events, pin them to group chats, collect RSVPs, and share updates to streamline planning. They can also use polls to narrow down food, drinks, and activities, and share their live location to help friends reach the party venue safely.
New Year’s Even hasn’t always been smooth for WhatsApp
New Year’s Eve is WhatsApp’s busiest time of the year, with millions of users trying to connect with friends and loved ones around the world. In the past, this surge in traffic has led to service disruptions, making it harder for some users to get through at midnight.
If that happens again this year, WhatsApp’s new voicemail feature could come in handy. It lets users leave voice or video messages after missed calls, ensuring New Year’s grettings still get delivered in case they’re unable to connect when the clock strikes twelve.