Tech Desk 
Dec 30, 2025
New Year’s is WhatsApp’s busiest day, with billions of messages and calls exchanged as people around the world connect with friends and family. On a typical day, WhatsApp handles over 100 billion messages and 2 billion calls, but the 24 hours of welcoming the New Year always break records.
It helps make festive moments memorable, from video calls that bring together families across continents to group chats organising celebrations.
WhatsApp has introduced various updates that will further enhance celebrations for New Year 2026:
- 2026 sticker pack: Share the excitement for the new year with a whole new set of stickers.
- Video call effects: Display fireworks, confetti, and star animations while on calls.
- Animated confetti reactions: Use the confetti emoji to react to messages with an animated effect.
- Status updates: Animated stickers and a 2026-themed layout will be introduced to make status updates more festive.
WhatsApp also shared some tips for smooth planning in group chats: creating events and pinning them; using polls to decide on food or activities; sharing live locations for safety and convenience; and sending video or voice notes to capture real-time moments for those friends who cannot attend.
From New York to Toronto to Istanbul, people are using WhatsApp to text. WhatsApp is the place where people connect privately and securely. The company said it is proud to be a part of how people come together and share in the special moments as the world welcomes the new year.
