Here’s what works and what doesn’t in the new WhatsApp Apple Watch app
WhatsApp is now officially available as a native app on Apple Watch, unlocking several long-requested features like voice messages, image previews and call alerts. It works independently from the iPhone’s Watch companion app, though some early users are reporting a few teething issues.
Prior to now the only way to get What’sApp notifications on your watch was to install the app on your iPhone. Then enable WhatsApp notifications on your Apple Watch. But that, of course, does not allow for full functionality of the messaging app on the watch. Or you could opt for one of the third-party options like WatchChat 2 or Chatify.
But now there’s a native app.
WhatsApp finally lands properly on Apple Watch
Up to now the software has been in Beta – now it’s available to all. The app lets users view full messages, send quick emoji reactions, listen to and record voice messages, and view images and stickers directly on their wrist.
Call notifications now display the caller’s name. This allows you to decide whether to answer on your phone without fishing it out of your pocket. Long messages are also now fully readable. And chat history is more accessible, allowing you to resume conversations without grabbing your iPhone.
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The media experience has seen a clear upgrade too. Blurry thumbnails are gone. Instead, images and stickers now appear in full clarity. That’s been one of the most commonly requested features. Judging by early Reddit threads, it’s something users are already noticing.
It’s not perfect, but it’s a solid first step
The app doesn’t support everything just yet. Users still can’t answer audio calls directly on the watch and there’s no way to start a brand new chat from the wrist. You’re limited to continuing existing conversations. There’s also no support for complications, meaning you can’t launch the app from a watch face shortcut.
Another limitation is that Siri voice input is off the table, at least for now. The voice messages have a hard 10-second cap, and playing them sometimes requires an additional download step. For people who just want to ping back a quick voice reply while on the move, it might feel like an unnecessary bit of friction.
Still, the broader integration is a welcome shift. Unlike Wear OS, where WhatsApp acts more like a fully standalone client, the Apple Watch version syncs with your phone’s app and doesn’t require a separate pairing action. That makes setup simple but does raise questions around whether it will work over cellular if the phone is left behind.
Compatibility and issues to keep in mind
To use the app, you’ll need an Apple Watch Series 4 or newer with at least watchOS 10. Some people on older hardware, like the original Watch SE or Series 4, have already reported crashing issues. Others noted that even when the update was installed, the app refused to open or kept syncing chats endlessly before shutting down.
There’s no word yet from Meta on a fix, but it’s possible that upcoming patches will address this. For now, the best chance at getting things working smoothly seems to be ensuring both your iPhone and watch are running the most recent versions of iOS and watchOS. That said, some models are capped at certain versions, which might limit your success.
While a few users have found the experience underwhelming or glitchy, the overall tone on social media is one of cautious optimism. People have been waiting a long time for a proper version of WhatsApp on Apple Watch, and even with the quirks, this feels like more than just a token gesture.
Meta’s broader wearable strategy gets a push
This move also raises an interesting point about how Meta is positioning WhatsApp as its go-to messaging platform across platforms. With Messenger being pulled back from macOS and WatchOS, it’s clear the company is doubling down on WhatsApp as its universal communications tool. That includes everything from smartphones and tablets to smartwatches and possibly even future mixed reality gear.
For Apple Watch users, the hope now is that this isn’t just a one-off update. If Meta builds on this launch, introduces call answering support and adds complications for easier access, WhatsApp could quickly become one of the more useful third-party apps on Apple’s wearable.
Source: WhatsApp
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