WhatsApp rolls out big holiday update with missed call messages, AI image tools and new status features

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WhatsApp is closing out the year with another major bundle of features, and this time the focus is on making holiday conversations more fun, expressive and easier to manage. The company announced a fresh set of updates across calls, chats, AI tools and Status, many of which are already rolling out to users worldwide.

One of the most useful additions is missed call messages. During the holidays, when family and friends are constantly calling, it is easy to miss someone. Now, if a person doesn’t pick up, you can instantly leave a short voice or video note depending on the type of call you made. It is a quick one-tap option that works like a modern version of voicemail, letting the other person hear or see your message when they’re free.

WhatsApp is also enhancing voice chats, which let groups talk without ringing everyone’s phone. The update adds reactions in voice chats, so you can send a quick emoji response, like a virtual “cheers,” without speaking or disrupting the flow. For video calls, the app now highlights whoever is speaking with a group call speaker spotlight, making it easier to follow the conversation when many people are on screen.

The chat experience is getting a boost too. WhatsApp’s Meta AI image creation just became stronger thanks to improved models from Midjourney and Flux. Users will see more realistic, better-quality images when generating holiday greetings or creative visuals to send in chats or post on Status. A fun new option lets you animate any photo into a short video, adding a festive or playful touch to your messages.

For desktop users, WhatsApp has added a new media tab. This organizes links, documents, and photos from all your chats in one place, helping you quickly find files without scrolling endlessly. The app is also introducing cleaner link previews, which streamline long URLs so they don’t clutter the conversation.

Across its Status and Channels features, WhatsApp is bringing more interactive tools. Users can now post new stickers on Status, including music lyrics, question prompts and tap-to-engage stickers that make updates more expressive. Channel admins are also getting questions on Channels, allowing them to gather responses from their audience in real time.

WhatsApp says more features are coming soon, but this holiday bundle already brings one of the year’s most playful and useful collections of updates.