WhatsApp just made New Year 2026 wishes way easier | Check out these features
Ring in 2026 with style! WhatsApp has rolled out a brand-new “Happy New Year 2026” sticker pack, letting users send festive greetings instantly in chats or status updates. With 14 animated stickers and a Meta AI image feature, celebrating the New Year has never been this fun and effortless.
New Year 2026 Stickers Now on WhatsApp
As 2025 draws to a close, WhatsApp has introduced a dedicated “Happy New Year 2026” sticker pack, allowing users to send greetings directly in chats or via status updates. The animated pack contains 14 stickers and has a file size of 488KB. Users who do not see the stickers should update the app through Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
How to Send New Year Stickers
- Open WhatsApp and select the chat.
- Tap the sticker icon in the message bar.
- Locate the “Happy New Year 2026” pack at the bottom of the sticker tray.
- Open the pack, select a sticker, and tap to send.
- Stickers can also be added to status updates by selecting a photo, tapping the sticker icon, and choosing from the New Year pack before posting.
Meta AI for Custom New Year Images
WhatsApp now enables users to create personalised New Year images using Meta AI. In a chat, tap the paperclip icon, choose the AI image option, and enter a prompt like “Happy New Year.” The system generates multiple images, and users can select and send the preferred one.
Data Privacy Clarified by NCLAT
The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) recently clarified its stance on WhatsApp and user data. The directions apply to all data collected for non-WhatsApp purposes, including advertising. WhatsApp and Meta cannot claim unrestricted rights over user data. Users retain control over what data is collected, its purpose, storage duration, and the right to opt in or out at any time.
What This Means for Users
The sticker pack and AI image tools make sending festive greetings simple and fun, while the NCLAT ruling reassures users that privacy remains under their control. With these updates, WhatsApp aims to offer a more interactive and secure New Year messaging experience.