Apple watch users, Watch Out! WhatsApp’s new feature might finally fix your biggest complaint
WhatsApp is taking a major step into smartwatch territory. The Meta-owned messaging giant is currently testing a dedicated companion app for the Apple Watch that moves well beyond simple notification mirroring.
Until now, Apple Watch users of WhatsApp have been restricted to seeing message previews and sending brief replies – effectively a notification extension of the iPhone app. But in the latest beta via Apple’s TestFlight, the experience evolves: users can browse chat lists, read full messages, send replies, react with emojis and voice-notes, and view shared media – all from their wrist.
Importantly, this version remains a companion app rather than a fully independent WhatsApp client. The Apple Watch still needs to remain paired and connected with the iPhone for core functionality. No standalone access (yet) without the phone nearby.
Some of the headline features spotted so far include:
- Full chat-scrolling and conversation access rather than just notification bubbles.
- Emoji-based message reactions and quick reply templates directly on the watch.
- Automatic pairing and connectivity between the iPhone and Apple Watch – no QR code scan required.
- Media previews and voice message support on the watch screen.
Why does this matter? With smartwatches increasingly serving as primary communication devices in scenarios like workouts, meetings and hands-free contexts, WhatsApp’s evolution addresses longtime user frustration. Android smartwatches running Wear OS have had richer WhatsApp integration for some time; this move helps bridge the gap for Apple Watch owners.
Still, several caveats remain. Because the app depends on the iPhone connection, you won’t yet be able to leave your phone at home and expect full WhatsApp usage just on your watch. Features like full voice calls, multi-device independence, or richer media editing may arrive later. And the official public roll-out date remains unannounced.
In short: the WhatsApp companion app for Apple Watch marks a meaningful upgrade – freeing users from pulling out their phones to respond. But for the moment it remains tethered to the iPhone, and many users will be waiting for the fully independent watch-experience. As the beta widens, we can expect both improved features and clearer timing for wider release.
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