WhatsApp announced on Tuesday that it will launch a companion app for Apple Watch. For the first time, WhatsApp users will be able to use their Apple Watch to receive call notifications, read full messages, and record and send voice messages.
“This new experience will help you stay on top of your chats without needing to take out your iPhone,” WhatsApp wrote in a blog post. “In addition to reading and replying to messages, for the first time, WhatsApp on Apple Watch will now support many requested features.”
Other supported features include the ability to react to messages and the option to see more of your chat history on the screen when reading messages. Plus, you’ll see clearer images and stickers.
The Meta-owned messaging app notes that, as always, your personal messages and calls are protected with end-to-end encryption. WhatsApp also says it plans to bring even more features to Apple Watches in the future.
The new WhatsApp Apple Watch app requires an Apple Watch Series 4 or later, running watchOS 10 or later.
Tuesday’s announcement is not a total surprise, since WhatsApp was detected testing the new Apple Watch application last week.
WhatsApp has been working to make it easier for users to access its service beyond mobile and desktop devices. In May, WhatsApp introduced its long-awaited iPad app, which allows you to make audio and video calls with up to 32 people, share your screen, and use the front and rear cameras. Before the app launched, if you wanted to use WhatsApp on your iPad, you had to use the web version in a browser.
WhatsApp’s launch of an Apple Watch app comes a few months after Snapchat also launched one. The app allows users to preview an incoming message and also reply using the keyboard, Scribble, Dictation, or an emoji. Snapchat focuses on using its watchOS app to allow users to quickly respond to messages, not view images or videos.
