WhatsApp Unwraps New Holiday Features to Make Staying Connected Easier and More Expressive

The holiday season is all about reconnecting, even as missed calls, buzzing group chats and last-minute plans become part of everyday life. To keep conversations flowing during this busy time, Meta has rolled out a fresh suite of new WhatsApp features designed to make staying in touch easier, more expressive and a little more fun.

From smarter calling tools to interactive Status updates and upgraded AI-powered creativity, the latest updates aim to help users connect where it matters most as the year comes to a close.

Smarter, More Intuitive Calling

WhatsApp is making calls more flexible with the introduction of missed call messages. If someone doesn’t pick up, users can now leave a voice or video note in just one tap, depending on the call type, offering a more personal alternative to traditional voicemail.

Group conversations also get a boost with reactions in voice chats, allowing participants to respond with quick emojis without interrupting the flow. On video calls, a new speaker spotlight feature automatically highlights whoever is talking, making it easier to follow along during group catch-ups.

More Creative Chats with Meta AI

Creativity takes centre stage with improved Meta AI image creation, powered by enhanced image generation models. Whether it’s crafting personalised holiday greetings or festive visuals, users can expect sharper, more polished results.

WhatsApp is also introducing the ability to animate photos into short videos, adding an extra layer of fun to chats and Status updates. On desktop, a new media tab brings documents, links and images together in one organised space across chats on Mac, Windows and Web, making files easier to find. Meanwhile, cleaner link previews ensure long URLs no longer disrupt the conversation.

Interactive Status and Channels Updates

Status updates are getting more engaging with the addition of new interactive stickers, including music lyrics, questions and tappable elements that invite responses from friends and followers. Channels are also becoming more interactive, with questions for admins to spark real-time engagement with their audiences.

More updates are expected soon, so stay tuned.