WhatsApp finally arrives on Apple Watch with a complete native app
After years of anticipation and as rumored, WhatsApp has finally launched a true native app for the Apple Watch. Gone are the days of just a notification extension: this time, it’s a fully-fledged experience designed to operate independently on your wrist.
Previously, WhatsApp on the Apple Watch was limited to a preview of received messages. Users could read a few words and occasionally respond with an emoji or a quick reply, but for anything more, they had to pull out their iPhone.
Now, the new app offers core messaging functions directly on watchOS:
- Full reading of conversations, including long messages
- Recording and sending voice messages
- Call notifications with contact identification
- Reactions with emojis
- Enhanced display of images and stickers
- Access to a broader message history
Compatibility: the app requires an Apple Watch Series 4 or newer, with watchOS 10 or later, along with the latest version of WhatsApp on iPhone.
Why It Matters
In many countries, WhatsApp is the primary means of communication, far surpassing SMS or iMessage. Until now, Apple Watch users faced limitations—a paradox for a device designed for rapid communication.
With this update, Meta finally catches up to Telegram, which has long offered a complete app on Apple Watch (including message reading, voice sending, stickers, etc.).
The arrival of this native version makes the Apple Watch significantly more useful for daily tasks, especially for those who want to respond quickly without taking out their phone.
WhatsApp: An Update That Changes Everything
For many, this is a game changer: no more need to pull out the iPhone to send a voice message or read an important text. For users outside the United States—where WhatsApp largely dominates over iMessage—this update transforms the Apple Watch into a much more complete communication companion.
WhatsApp on the Apple Watch evolves from a mere gadget to a fully-fledged communication tool. Meta has delivered a major update that is likely to delight millions of users and breathe new life into Apple’s smartwatch.
