WhatsApp has announced new features for New Year 2026. These include video call effects like fireworks and confetti, animated emoji reactions, and group chat features to help plan the celebrations. This introduction comes before the platform’s busiest day, when it usually gets more messages and calls than usual. It gets well over 100 billion messages and 2 billion calls every day around the world.
While announcing the feature, the company, via blog post, said, “New Year’s is our biggest day at WhatsApp, with each year breaking new records for how people text and call their friends and loved ones. On a regular day, we support over 100 billion messages and 2 billion calls – but the twenty four hours when the world welcomes a New Year always tops our charts. Whether it’s a video call that unites families across continents, or a group chat that organises a celebration, we’re proud to play a small role in making people’s wishes for next year special.”
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WhatsApp’s New Year 2026 update has many fun features that are meant to make it easier for people to talk to each other during the holidays. A special 2026 sticker set for sending New Year’s wishes in both personal and group conversations and new video call effects that let users show fireworks, confetti, and stars on their screens while they are on a call are some of the most important new features. Additionally, WhatsApp has brought back animated confetti reactions. A unique animation appears in the conversation when users reply with the confetti emoji.
WhatsApp is also adding animated stickers for status updates. These stickers let users send holiday greetings to friends with a special 2026-themed design. These features will be available during the whole holiday season.
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WhatsApp recently added capabilities to help users plan New Year’s celebrations in group chats. Users may create and pin events to increase visibility, collect RSVPs, and post updates from a single location. The Polls feature may help participants make selections about food, beverages, or activities, and live location sharing allows them to get to venues and arrive safely. Furthermore, voice notes and video messages enable users to share real-time moments with those who cannot attend in person.
