WhatsApp gets animated effects and stickers to celebrate 2025; see how to use

In the spirit of New Year’s Eve, WhatsApp last Thursday (26) started rolling out several new features that promise to make New Year-related conversations much more lively and fun for users. Interactive messaging and calling features will be available for a limited time.

New Year effects for searches are one of the highlights. With these, you can give a new look to video calls on the Android and iOS versions of the Meta app by adding festive backgrounds, filters, and other themed special effects celebrating the arrival of 2025.

For those accustomed to using emojis in conversations, Messenger has added new animated reactions that appear on-screen when selecting certain options. “This is the ideal touch to spread joy and share holiday wishes in a fun and interactive way,” the tech giant said.

These Animated reactions appear when you use emojis such as festive face, confetti cannon, party confetti and toasting glassesamong others. Each one leads to different animations where colorful confetti appears for the sender and recipient of the WhatsApp message.

Special New Year stickers

This year-end update also included stickers with a special package offer created specifically for New Year’s celebrations. It includes several customized avatars with a New Year’s Eve theme to use when sending messages wishing people a happy 2025.

Would you like to leave your conversations on WhatsApp in a New Year’s mood? Just update the app to the latest version by checking if your mobile phone’s operating system is available in the official store.

As previously reported, New Year’s effects for calls, new animated reactions with specific emojis, and a sticker pack for New Year’s Eve 2025 will be temporarily available. Interactive and personalized experience will be available until January 3.