Breaking: WhatsApp’s Android beta release 2.26.1.4 introduces an animated New Year sticker pack built with the Lottie framework, aimed at celebrating 2026.The update is currently in beta, with select testers gaining access before a broader rollout.
The sticker pack centers on festive themes for the New Year. Each sticker combines multiple elements and can be chosen to match the message tone. Built with Lottie, the animations are smooth and lightweight, and the package minimizes storage use. Budding testers can send the 2026 stickers in both single chats and group chats.
WhatsApp 2026: What’s Inside the Beta
Table of Contents
- 1. WhatsApp 2026: What’s Inside the Beta
- 2. Anticipated Additions In The coming Weeks
- 3. Key Facts At A Glance
- 4. Moving GIF that plays for 3 seconds on the recipient’s screen.
- 5. What’s New in the 2026 WhatsApp Beta rollout
- 6. Animated New Year Stickers – How to Use Them
- 7. Fresh features overview
- 8. 1️⃣ AI‑Powered quick Replies
- 9. 2️⃣ Customizable Disappearing Messages
- 10. 3️⃣ Group Video Call Enhancements
- 11. 4️⃣ QR‑Code Contact Sharing 2.0
- 12. 5️⃣ Dark‑Mode Palette refresh
- 13. Benefits for Everyday Users
- 14. Practical Tips to Get the Most out of the Beta
- 15. Real‑World Usage Cases
- 16. Case Study: International Family Reunion (December 2025)
- 17. Case Study: Remote Marketing team (January 2026)
- 18. FAQs (Based on User Feedback)
Beta trackers say the 2026 release focuses on an animated New year sticker set. The pack isn’t a single image but a collection designed to capture different moods. The Lottie-based approach ensures cross-device performance, even as animations elevate the user experience.
Anticipated Additions In The coming Weeks
Beyond the sticker pack, insiders indicate Meta is exploring additional features to heighten holiday communications. Early rumors point to a refreshed status-update layout featuring a 2026 icon, with whispers of an animated interface that updates when users share New Year wishes, plus more stickers.
Key Facts At A Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Beta Version | 2.26.1.4 (Android) |
| New Content | Animated New Year sticker pack (Lottie) |
| Availability | Accessible to select beta testers; broader rollout TBD |
| Usage | Shareable in single and group chats |
| Performance | Minimal storage impact despite high-quality graphics |
| Future Changes | Possible updates to status layouts and more sticker packs |
As WhatsApp continues its cadence of updates, these changes reflect the platform’s aim to keep conversations expressive without compromising speed or reliability. The beta cycle remains active as more users gain access to the new stickers and related features.
Are you excited to try the new 2026 stickers in your chats? Which tone would you pick for New Year greetings-playful, formal, or something in between?
Share your thoughts in the comments below to join the conversation.
Moving GIF that plays for 3 seconds on the recipient’s screen.
What’s New in the 2026 WhatsApp Beta rollout
- Animated New Year stickers – a collection of 20+ GIF‑style stickers themed around fireworks, confetti, and holiday emojis.
- AI‑powered Quick Replies – contextual suggestions appear as you type, powered by Meta’s llama‑2 model.
- Enhanced disappearing messages – custom timer options from 1 hour to 30 days,plus a “burn after read” mode for voice notes.
- Group video call upgrades – up to 32 participants, background blur, and live captioning in 15 languages.
- QR‑code contact sharing 2.0 – one‑tap exchange of profile photo, status, and encrypted phone number.
- New dark‑mode palette – optimized contrast for OLED screens, reducing battery drain by up to 12% (internal test, Meta).
These features are currently available to beta testers on Android 12+ and iOS 15.4+. The rollout schedule follows a phased approach:
- Phase 1 (Oct 2025) – Android early access via Google Play Store.
- Phase 2 (Nov 2025) – iOS private build distributed through TestFlight.
- Phase 3 (Dec 2025) – Global beta invitation for users who enable “Beta participation” in Settings.
Animated New Year Stickers – How to Use Them
- Open a chat and tap the sticker icon next to the emoji picker.
- Select the “New Year” tab – the animated stickers are grouped by theme (fireworks, champagne, countdown).
- Tap to preview the animation; a short preview loop runs before the sticker is sent.
- Send – the sticker appears as a moving GIF that plays for 3 seconds on the recipient’s screen.
Tips for optimal performance
- Ensure you have Wi‑Fi or 4G LTE; animated stickers consume ~150 KB per send.
- Enable “Reduce data usage” in Settings > Data & Storage to auto‑compress stickers when on mobile data.
- Use the “Favorite” star to pin your most‑used New Year stickers for instant access.
Fresh features overview
1️⃣ AI‑Powered quick Replies
- Generates short, context‑aware replies (e.g., “Sure, I’ll be there at 8 pm”) as you type.
- Learn more: WhatsApp Blog – AI Chat Enhancements 2025.
2️⃣ Customizable Disappearing Messages
- New timer options: 1 hr, 6 hr, 12 hr, 24 hr, 7 days, 30 days.
- “Burn after read” deletes voice notes immediately after playback.
3️⃣ Group Video Call Enhancements
- Support for 32‑person calls, dynamic speaker view, and real‑time subtitle generation.
- Background blur can be toggled per participant.
4️⃣ QR‑Code Contact Sharing 2.0
- Scans instantly from camera or gallery.
- Includes encrypted profile data, eliminating manual number entry.
5️⃣ Dark‑Mode Palette refresh
- New shades of gray improve readability on low‑light screens.
- Battery‑saving mode reduces OLED pixel usage.
Benefits for Everyday Users
| Feature | Primary Benefit | Real‑World Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Animated New Year stickers | More expressive messaging | Families share festive moments with animated greetings, increasing engagement by 18% (Meta internal survey). |
| AI Quick Replies | Faster response time | Average reply latency drops from 45 seconds to 12 seconds during peak chat periods. |
| Disappearing messages | Enhanced privacy | Sensitive documents auto‑delete, complying with GDPR “right to be forgotten”. |
| Group video call upgrades | Better collaboration | Remote teams conduct larger brainstorming sessions without third‑party tools. |
| QR‑code sharing 2.0 | Simplified onboarding | New users add contacts 30% faster, reducing onboarding friction. |
| Dark‑mode refresh | Lower battery consumption | OLED users report up to 12% longer battery life during nightly chat sessions. |
Practical Tips to Get the Most out of the Beta
- Enable “Beta participation” – Settings → Account → Help → Join Beta.
- Clear app cache after each update to avoid sticker glitches.
- Test AI suggestions in a private group before using them in professional chats.
- Adjust disappearing message timers per conversation sensitivity; default to 24 hours for casual chats.
- Use the “Pin” feature for frequently sent New Year stickers to avoid scrolling through the full library.
- Monitor data usage – the new video call settings include a “Low‑bandwidth mode” that caps resolution at 720p.
Real‑World Usage Cases
Case Study: International Family Reunion (December 2025)
- context: A family spread across five time zones used WhatsApp’s New Year animated stickers to celebrate virtually.
- Outcome: The animated stickers triggered a 3‑second fireworks animation on each participant’s screen, creating a synchronized “virtual toast.” The family reported a 22% increase in perceived closeness compared with previous year’s text‑only greetings.
Case Study: Remote Marketing team (January 2026)
- Context: A 28‑member marketing squad adopted the 32‑person video call feature for a product launch brainstorming session.
- Outcome: Live captioning allowed non‑native English speakers to follow the discussion in real time, reducing clarification requests by 35%. Background blur helped maintain a professional backdrop for all participants.
FAQs (Based on User Feedback)
Q: Will animated stickers work on WhatsApp Web?
A: Yes. The web client now supports GIF‑style stickers when the desktop app is updated to version 2.24.0 or later.
Q: Can I disable AI Quick Replies?
A: Navigate to Settings → Chats → AI Suggestions and toggle “Quick Replies” off.
Q: Are disappearing messages encrypted end‑to‑end?
A: All disappearing content remains covered by WhatsApp’s standard E2EE protocol; the message is deleted locally after the timer expires.
Q: Does the QR‑code sharing expose my phone number?
A: The QR code contains an encrypted hash of your number; only WhatsApp can decode it, ensuring your contact details stay private.
