WhatsApp on Apple Watch is now available with a more complete messaging experience, allowing users to read chats, reply directly from their wrist, and interact with messages without relying only on notification mirroring. This update finally brings deeper integration between WhatsApp and watchOS, making it easier to stay connected during workouts, travel, or when your iPhone isn’t easily accessible.
In this article, we’ll break down how to use WhatsApp on Apple Watch, supported features, limitations, setup tips, and when to expect wider rollout — especially if you’re outside the beta program.
Key Features of WhatsApp on Apple Watch
The new update introduces several enhancements compared to basic notification mirroring:
| Feature | Availability |
|---|---|
| Read messages directly on Apple Watch | ✅ Available |
| Reply via voice dictation, scribble, emoji, or preset replies | ✅ Available |
| Browse recent chats | ✅ Available |
| Start a new message from the watch | ✅ Limited (depends on version rollout) |
| View images and stickers | ✅ Viewable in optimized format |
| Play voice messages | ✅ Supported |
| Watch-only standalone use | ❌ Not fully independent yet (requires iPhone connection) |
This means WhatsApp on Apple Watch is now more functional than before — but not fully stand-alone like iMessage on cellular watches.
How to Set Up WhatsApp on Apple Watch
- Update iPhone and Apple Watch
- iPhone → latest iOS
- Apple Watch → latest watchOS
- Ensure WhatsApp notifications are enabled
- iPhone: Settings → Notifications → WhatsApp → Allow Notifications
- Watch: Watch App → Notifications → Mirror iPhone Alerts → WhatsApp
- Install the WhatsApp Companion App (if available)
- Open the App Store on Apple Watch
- Search WhatsApp
- Install the companion version
If you don’t see the full app yet, you may still be in the pre-rollout phase, as the update is gradually expanding from beta testers to general users.
Supported Devices
To use WhatsApp on Apple Watch, you’ll need:
- An iPhone running iOS 15 or later
- An Apple Watch Series 3 or newer
- watchOS 8 or later
Cellular Apple Watch models can send/receive messages without the iPhone nearby, but syncing still requires pairing.
Limitations (Important to Know)
- The app is still a companion, not fully standalone.
- You may not yet be able to start new chats from scratch in some regions.
- Media previews are simplified for battery and display size purposes.
- The rollout is gradual, so some users will receive it later.
Source: Meta
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