WhatsApp Releases a Compatible Apple Watch Beta App for Easier Messaging on Your Wrist
WhatsApp has launched a dedicated app for Apple Watch, allowing users to read messages, reply, and send reactions directly from their wrist. The app is available as a companion to the iPhone, with early testing helping shape features and usability for a smooth smartwatch experience.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | WhatsApp for Apple Watch |
| Status: | Available |
| Availability info: | The app is available after installing the WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.32.10.71 update from TestFlight. |
| Thanks: | IgnacioAF and Bruce Wayne, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp for iOS 25.31.75: what's new? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature for creating and directly saving stickers to personal packs! |
WhatsApp on Wear OS: Features and Setup
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.10.10 update, we announced that an official WhatsApp smartwatch app for Wear OS was available. This app allows users to read chats, reply using voice or text, view images, play back voice messages, mute chats, send reactions, and answer or decline calls directly from their smartwatch. To set it up, users must link their Android phone to the smartwatch using the same phone number, enter an eight-character code displayed on the watch, and confirm the pairing on their phone. The app is compatible with Wear OS version 3.0 and above, but it does not support iPhones or WhatsApp Business accounts. Features such as Tiles and Complications provide quick access to WhatsApp on the watch, and end-to-end encryption is maintained for all communications.
A Limited Apple Watch Experience for WhatsApp, Until Now
Until now, WhatsApp has never offered a dedicated app for Apple Watch. This meant that users were limited to interacting with the service only through basic notifications. As a result, the overall experience felt restrictive compared to other messaging apps with native watchOS support. However, building on its Wear OS experience, WhatsApp is now bringing a dedicated companion app to Apple Watch, allowing users to access basic functionalities directly from their wrist.
WhatsApp Finally Expands to Apple Watch
As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is finally making its way to the Apple Watch. The new app is available after installing the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.32.10.71 update directly from the TestFlight app, marking the first step toward a more integrated smartwatch experience. Just as the Wear OS app requires an Android device, the Apple Watch version needs to be paired with an iPhone to work, acting as a companion rather than a fully independent app. That said, it's important to set expectations before users get too excited, as this will not be a fully standalone app, at least in the beginning.
Initial Apple Watch Experience with WhatsApp
The first version of WhatsApp for Apple Watch does not allow users to leave their iPhone at home and depend entirely on the watch for messaging. In other words, your iPhone will still need to stay connected for WhatsApp to work on your wrist. This means that you won't be able to leave your iPhone behind during the day (for example, at work or while out running daily tasks), and expect WhatsApp on the Apple Watch to operate independently. The app will still rely on your phone's connection. However, it marks an important first step toward making WhatsApp more useful and accessible on wearable devices.
Improved Notifications and Integration
With the first version of the WhatsApp for Apple Watch app, users can expect improved notification handling, making it easier than ever to read and reply to messages with text and reactions directly from their wrist. The app integrates more seamlessly with the Apple Watch interface, providing a smoother and more intuitive experience compared to standard push notifications. Users can quickly interact with incoming messages, view media, and respond without needing to unlock their iPhone.
Connections, Chat List, Messages, and Quick Replies
The connection between WhatsApp on your iPhone and your Apple Watch is fully automatic. This means that users do not need to scan any QR code to link their WhatsApp account, as long as the Apple Watch is already paired with the iPhone. The app relies on an indicator at the top left of the screen to inform users when Apple Watch is syncing, connected, or when connectivity to the iPhone is lost. Once the connection is automatically established, users can scroll through their chat list, making it easier to locate recent conversations and stay up to date directly from their wrist.
With a dedicated app, WhatsApp finally lets users view the latest messages and media directly in their chat list. Pinned chats remain at the top in the correct order, and disappearing chats are clearly marked. Users can compose a new message at any time, without having to wait for a notification. They can also send voice messages, use emojis, and dictate messages using voice input. In addition, it's possible to send default messages from below the chat bar and react to specific messages using emojis with a tap and hold action.
Why This Update Matters for Apple Watch Users
In the past, Apple Watch users could only interact with WhatsApp in a limited way through notifications, which feels restrictive compared to other messaging apps that provide richer watchOS support. With a dedicated companion app, WhatsApp is taking its first step toward improving the experience for Apple Watch owners over time. These early features may seem basic, but for an Apple Watch they are already quite substantial, as they cover the essential ways users interact with WhatsApp: checking conversations, replying quickly, reacting to messages using an emoji, and staying connected without needing their iPhone at hand.
The Future of WhatsApp on Wearables
Even though it won't be fully independent from the iPhone just yet, this is the foundation for bigger improvements down the road. While we don't yet know the full list of features planned for future updates of the Apple Watch app, it's clear that WhatsApp intends to keep enhancing the experience for wearable devices, following a similar path to the Wear OS app. With this initial release, WhatsApp is laying the groundwork for a more seamless experience on Apple Watch, hinting at the potential for richer functionality in future updates.
Availability for Beta Testers Only
At the moment, the new WhatsApp app for Apple Watch is available exclusively to beta testers who install the latest WhatsApp beta update through TestFlight. The app requires a minimum of watchOS 10.0 to run. However, it is not yet clear when the app will be released to all users on the App Store, or whether WhatsApp will go through an extended beta testing period before making it publicly available. Only time will tell how long users will have to wait for the full rollout.
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