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WhatsApp Launches New Year Features for Peak Usage: Animated Status Stickers, 2026 Pack and Call Effects

The Meta-owned service pairs celebratory effects with planning tools to help users coordinate during its busiest day.

Overview

  • WhatsApp said the seasonal update is live now and will be available through the New Year holiday.
  • Animated stickers arrive on Status for the first time, including a special 2026 layout for celebratory posts.
  • A 2026-themed sticker pack, confetti reactions, and video call effects—fireworks, confetti and stars—aim to make chats and calls more festive.
  • The company urged users to organize plans with group events and polls and to use live location and voice notes for safety and coordination.
  • WhatsApp expects New Year’s Eve to set fresh usage records, building on its typical 100 billion messages and about 2 billion calls each day.