WhatsApp’s busiest day is New Year’s — here’s what they added

WhatsApp is basically the world’s “you up?” button on New Year’s. And it’s not subtle about it: New Year’s is the app’s biggest day, with each year beating the last for messages and calls. To go with the usual midnight madness, WhatsApp has dropped a few festive add-ons for the holiday period — mostly stickers, effects, and little UI touches that make your group chats feel slightly less like a spreadsheet of chaos.

Here’s what’s new, and the built-in tools WhatsApp wants you to use when you’re stuck organising the plans.

What WhatsApp says happens on New Year’s

New Year’s is WhatsApp’s busiest day, with record-breaking texting and calling every year. On a “regular” day, WhatsApp says it supports over 100 billion messages and 2 billion calls — and the 24 hours around New Year typically go beyond that.

• New Year’s traffic tops WhatsApp’s charts every year
• Video calls connect families across countries
• Group chats become the control room for meet-ups
• WhatsApp leans hard on the idea of private, secure communication

And yes, if you’re in the UAE, you already know how this goes. Half your contacts are doing fireworks videos, the other half are forwarding “Happy New Year” images that look like they were made in 2009.

The new 2026 sticker pack and call effects

If you want your messages to look more “New Year” and less “copy-paste greeting”, WhatsApp added a few temporary extras.

• 2026 sticker pack to share New Year vibes in chats
• Video call effects you can trigger during calls (yes, we know video calls don't work in the UAE)
  • Fireworks animations
  • Confetti
  • Stars lighting up the screen
• Effects are accessed via the effects icon during a video call

It’s simple, but it does the job. If you’re doing the family round-robin calls (and you will), it’s an easy way to make the call feel like an occasion without actually doing… anything.

Related on Tbreak: If you’re using WhatsApp on your wrist these days, here’s our coverage on WhatsApp landing on Apple Watch.

Confetti reactions are back (because of course they are)

WhatsApp is also bringing back special animated reactions tied to one specific emoji.

• Use the confetti emoji to react to a message
• WhatsApp triggers special animated confetti reactions

This one is pure “tiny delight”. It’s also a low-effort way to make the group chat feel less dry when everyone’s just replying with the same two words.

Status gets animated stickers for the first time

This is the biggest “new” change: WhatsApp is adding animated stickers to Status, and it’s the first time it’s doing this there.

• Animated stickers are coming to Status (first time)
• There’s a special 2026 layout
• It includes an animated sticker you can use to post a New Year Status update

If your Status is usually just a blurry concert clip or a coffee photo, this is WhatsApp gently nudging you to post something more seasonal.

Party planning in a WhatsApp group chat (tools that actually help)

WhatsApp also pushed a few reminders for the people who end up organising everything. You know who you are.

• Create an Event in the group chat
  • Pin it so it stays visible
  • Collect RSVPs
  • Keep everyone updated
• Use Polls to pick:
  • Food
  • Drinks
  • Activities
• Share Live Location so people can find the place (and get home safely)
• Use voice notes and videos for quick, real-time updates

More here: WhatsApp Events (search “event” in the Help Center if the page doesn’t load directly)

This is the practical bit. Polls stop the “anything is fine” spiral. Live Location stops the “I’m outside” lie.

Related on Tbreak: Before you accept random group invites during New Year chaos, read this: WhatsApp’s Safety Overview for group chat scams.

FAQ

Is New Year’s really WhatsApp’s busiest day?

WhatsApp says New Year’s is its biggest day every year, and that the New Year 24-hour period consistently tops its charts for messaging and calling.

What new WhatsApp features are available for New Year 2026?

WhatsApp added a 2026 sticker pack, video call effects (fireworks, confetti, stars), special animated confetti reactions, and animated stickers in Status with a 2026 layout.

How do I use WhatsApp’s New Year video call effects?

Outside the UAE, when in a video call, tap the effects icon and choose the New Year-themed animations like fireworks, confetti, or stars.

What’s new with WhatsApp Status for New Year?

For the first time, WhatsApp is adding animated stickers to Status, including a special 2026 layout with an animated sticker.

What WhatsApp tools help plan a New Year party?

WhatsApp recommends using Events (pin it, collect RSVPs), polls, live location, plus voice notes and videos to keep everyone in sync.

If your New Year plans involve multiple groups (family, friends, work “friends”), consider muting the loudest ones before midnight. Your phone will thank you. Also, WhatsApp being one of the most-downloaded apps here checks out — see Apple’s most downloaded UAE apps of 2025.

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