WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has announced the launch of a dedicated version of its app for Apple Watch. Users will be able to read and reply to messages, as well as receive calls without needing to take out their phone.
The company stated in a blog post on Tuesday that this experience will help users keep up with conversations without having to pull out their phones.
This app allows users to read and reply to messages, receive notifications, as well as record and send voice messages.
The company has also included the ability to send quick replies using emojis, alongside displaying images and stickers in clearer resolution, and the ability to view a larger portion of the chat history while reading.
The company confirmed that all messages and calls will remain protected by end-to-end encryption, just like its other apps.
In its blog post, the company explained that it plans to add more features to this version in the future to improve the user experience.
This app will be available on Apple Watch Series 4 and later models, or watches running watchOS 10 and above.
Earlier this year, the company launched a dedicated version for iPad devices.
WhatsApp
WhatsApp is a cross-platform messaging service founded in 2009 by Jan Koum and Brian Acton, which rapidly grew to become one of the world’s most popular communication apps. It was acquired by Facebook (now Meta) in 2014 for approximately $19 billion, significantly expanding its user base and integrating features like voice and video calls.
Meta
Meta is a technology company founded in 2021, but it is the parent and rebrand of the social media platform Facebook, which was originally launched by Mark Zuckerberg in 2004. The company’s name change reflected a strategic shift toward building a “metaverse,” a vision for interconnected virtual and augmented reality experiences.
Apple Watch
The Apple Watch is a line of smartwatches first introduced by Apple Inc. in 2015, designed as a companion device for the iPhone. It expanded wearable technology by integrating fitness tracking, communication, and health monitoring features, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor in later models.
Apple Watch Series 4
The Apple Watch Series 4 is a smartwatch released by Apple Inc. in 2018, representing a significant redesign with a larger display and new health-focused features. Its history is marked by the introduction of the first FDA-cleared electrocardiogram (ECG) app on a consumer device, positioning it as a major advancement in personal health monitoring technology.
iPad
The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc., first introduced by Steve Jobs in 2010. It revolutionized personal computing by popularizing the tablet form factor for media consumption, web browsing, and mobile applications.
