WhatsApp on Tuesday announced the launch of its new Apple Watch companion app, giving users an entirely new way to stay connected. For the first time, people can now use their Apple Watch to receive WhatsApp call notifications, read complete messages, and record or send voice notes directly from their wrists.
The company explained that this new experience helps users stay in touch without constantly reaching for their iPhones. In a blog post, WhatsApp emphasized that the Apple Watch version brings several of the most requested features to life. Users can now not only read and reply to messages but also react to messages with emojis and view a broader portion of their chat history while reading. Images and stickers now appear clearer and more detailed, creating a smoother chat experience.
Meta, which owns WhatsApp, reassured users that personal messages and calls remain fully protected with end-to-end encryption, maintaining the same level of security as on mobile devices. The company also promised to roll out additional features in future updates, expanding what users can do on their Apple Watches.
To use the new app, users will need an Apple Watch Series 4 or newer, running on watchOS 10 or later. The rollout did not come as a complete surprise—just a week earlier, some users had spotted WhatsApp testing the new app.
This latest development continues WhatsApp’s efforts to make its service available across more devices. Earlier this year, in May, the platform launched its long-anticipated iPad app, finally giving tablet users a native option. The iPad version allows users to make both video and audio calls with up to 32 participants, share screens, and switch between front and rear cameras. Before this release, iPad users could only access WhatsApp through a web browser, which limited functionality and convenience.
WhatsApp’s move to the Apple Watch follows a similar step taken by Snapchat a few months ago. Snapchat’s watchOS app allows users to preview incoming messages and reply using the keyboard, Scribble, Dictation, or emojis. However, unlike WhatsApp’s approach, Snapchat focuses on quick message responses rather than viewing multimedia like images or videos.
With this new Apple Watch app, WhatsApp continues its push to make communication faster, more seamless, and more accessible, ensuring users stay connected wherever they are—without needing to reach for their phones.
