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WhatsApp has finally landed on the Apple Watch, giving users quick access to chats and media without constantly reaching for their phones. The first release focuses on core messaging tools — full message viewing, voice notes, stickers and reactions — designed for fast, on-wrist interactions.
What you can do on your wrist
The new app expands beyond the tiny previews you may be used to. Here’s what you can expect right away:
- Read full WhatsApp messages and scroll more of your recent chat history — no more truncated snippets.
- Record and send voice messages directly from your watch, useful for quick replies when your phone is tucked away.
- React with quick emoji replies to messages for fast, low-effort responses.
- View high-resolution images and stickers natively on the watch face for better context in conversations.
Imagine walking out the door with earbuds in: a short tap on your wrist can reveal the full message and let you reply with a voice note or emoji — all without fishing your phone out of your bag.
Calls, limits, and what’s missing
Don’t expect full voice or video calling from the watch yet. Due to platform restrictions, the Apple Watch app cannot make or receive WhatsApp calls on-device. You will, however, be able to see who is calling so you can decide whether to grab your phone. It’s a useful compromise for now, but one that keeps the most bandwidth-heavy features tethered to the iPhone.
WhatsApp describes this release as an early step. The company says more functionality will arrive over time, so calls and other advanced features may appear in future updates.
Security, compatibility, and how to get it
As with other platforms, conversations remain protected by end-to-end encryption on the Apple Watch app. The app is available for Apple Watch Series 4 and later running watchOS 10 or newer. To use it, make sure your iPhone and WhatsApp app are up to date and that your watch is updated to the required watchOS version.
For now, the WhatsApp Apple Watch app is best for quick reads, fast reactions, and voice notes — a lightweight companion that reduces how often you reach for your phone. Expect incremental improvements as WhatsApp rolls out additional features in future updates.
Source: gsmarena
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