Apple Watch gets a dedicated WhatsApp app: Device requirements, features and more

WhatsApp has introduced its first standalone Apple Watch app. This new app will make it significantly easier for Apple Watch users to manage and interact with their chats on the popular Meta-owned messaging service directly from the smartwatch without needing their iPhone. The new software includes several enhanced features, such as the ability to record and send voice messages, receive full call notifications, view full-length message previews, and utilise message reactions. These updates bring WhatsApp functionality closer to parity with Apple's native messaging app on the watch.

Announcing the app, WhatsApp wrote in its blog post: “In addition to reading and responding to messages, for the first time, WhatsApp on Apple Watch will now support many requested features”

Apple Watch WhatsApp app : Device requirements and features

Here are all the details about the device requirements of the Apple Watch version of the WhatsApp app and the features it will offer:



In its blog post, WhatsApp also wrote: “This is just the start of making WhatsApp on your Apple Watch an even better experience. As always, your personal messages and calls remain private with end-to-end encryption. We look forward to delivering even more useful functionality for people with Apple Watch in the future.”

Earlier, Apple Watch owners could only view WhatsApp notifications and use basic response features. The standalone app promises a better overall experience, offering more explicit images and stickers, as well as the ability to view more of the chat history on the display.

Meta, which already provides a WhatsApp app for the Android-based Wear OS platform. This development follows Meta's earlier decision to discontinue its Apple Watch app for Messenger.