As the clock ticks towards midnight on New Year's Eve 2025, WhatsApp has rolled out a significant update packed with four brand-new features designed to elevate the celebrations. The Meta-owned messaging giant confirms that December 31st is consistently its busiest night globally, making this timely release crucial for millions of users in the UK and beyond.
What's New in the WhatsApp Update?
The update, announced just in time for the festivities, introduces a suite of tools aimed at making digital celebrations more vibrant and organised. On a regular day, WhatsApp supports over 100 billion messages and 2 billion calls, but the platform states that New Year's Eve "always tops our charts." This year's enhancements are a direct response to that unprecedented surge in activity.
The new features include a dedicated 2026 sticker pack for sharing New Year's joy. During video calls, users can now tap an effects icon to overlay their screen with fireworks, confetti, and star animations. Furthermore, special animated confetti effects return when reacting to messages with the confetti emoji. In a first for the platform, animated stickers can now be used in Status updates, adding a new layer of expression to share your mood with contacts.
Top Tips for Hosting New Year's Plans on WhatsApp
Alongside the flashy new features, WhatsApp has shared practical guidance for anyone coordinating celebrations through its app. The recommendations focus on using existing tools to streamline planning and ensure safety.
The platform advises group admins to set up an event and pin it to the conversation, making it easy for everyone to find details and RSVP. Using polls to decide on food, drinks, and entertainment is also encouraged to democratise planning.
For safety and convenience, sharing your live location can help friends navigate to the party and provides reassurance that they have arrived home safely afterwards. Finally, the app suggests sending video and voice messages to capture genuine moments for friends who cannot attend, hoping to encourage them to join next year.
A Record-Breaking Night for Messaging
WhatsApp has emphasised the scale of New Year's Eve on its service. "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," a spokesperson stated. This update is a strategic move to enhance user experience during this peak period and introduce fun, interactive elements that align with the celebratory mood.
The release underscores WhatsApp's ongoing evolution from a simple texting app to a multifaceted communication hub, integrating festive elements directly into its core calling and messaging functions just as the world prepares to welcome 2026.
