Meta Launches Official WhatsApp App for Apple Watch

ISLAMABAD: Apple Watch users finally have something to cheer about — Meta has officially released a dedicated WhatsApp app for watchOS, allowing users to send and receive messages, voice notes, and chat updates directly from their wrist without needing an iPhone.

Five months after introducing WhatsApp for iPad, Meta has now expanded the app’s reach to Apple’s smartwatch lineup. Previously, users could only view and respond to WhatsApp notifications through Apple’s built-in notification system. Now, with the official app, WhatsApp offers a richer and more interactive experience.

Full WhatsApp Access on Your Wrist

The new app allows users to read complete message threads — including long conversations — react with emojis, and send voice notes straight from the Apple Watch. Users can also check who’s calling, view shared images, and access extended chat history, all without pulling out their phones.

Meta described the release as a “big upgrade for your wrist,” emphasizing that it’s designed to help people stay connected “without needing to pull out your iPhone.”

Compatibility and Availability

The WhatsApp app for Apple Watch is now available for download, but it supports only the Apple Watch Series 4 or later, running watchOS 10 or newer. Users can install the app directly via the App Store on their watch or through the Watch app on their iPhone under the “My Watch” tab.

Read more: WhatsApp to Introduce Username-Based Calls, Reducing Need for Phone Numbers

Key Features Include:

• Reading full WhatsApp messages directly on the watch

• Sending and recording voice messages

• Reacting to messages with emojis

• Viewing images and extended chat history

• Receiving call notifications on the watch

For users with cellular-enabled Apple Watches, this new feature means they can stay connected to their WhatsApp chats even while exercising or away from their phones.

Looking Ahead

The launch marks a major milestone, nearly a decade after Apple’s first smartwatch was released in 2015. Despite WhatsApp’s global popularity, Meta had long delayed a native app for watchOS, similar to its gradual rollout of Instagram for iPad earlier this year.

Meta says more updates are on the way, with plans to add new features such as voice calling and enhanced media sharing in future releases — bringing WhatsApp closer to a fully functional smartwatch experience.