WhatsApp is finally landing on Apple Watch with a beta companion app that brings full messaging support straight to your wrist.
Quick Summary – TLDR:
- WhatsApp is now testing a full-featured Apple Watch app via TestFlight for beta users.
- The app allows users to read messages, reply with emojis, send voice notes, and more.
- It works as a companion app, requiring a connected iPhone.
- There is no official release date yet from Meta.
What Happened?
Meta has quietly rolled out a beta version of WhatsApp for the Apple Watch through TestFlight, giving users a sneak peek at long-awaited smartwatch functionality. While not yet a standalone app, this new companion version offers a deeper and more responsive messaging experience than ever before.
WhatsApp Releases a Compatible Apple Watch Beta App for Easier Messaging on Your Wrist!
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) October 30, 2025
WhatsApp has launched a dedicated app for Apple Watch, allowing users to read messages, reply, and send reactions directly from their wrist.https://t.co/t2dl9Cu9vP pic.twitter.com/TzV9K7Reqf
WhatsApp Brings Messaging Power to Your Wrist
The new Apple Watch version of WhatsApp is a companion app, which means it needs a paired iPhone to work. But unlike the limited notifications that Apple Watch users have relied on until now, this app lets users read full messages, view media, send voice replies, dictate texts, react with emojis, and more.
The app is currently available to beta testers using iOS version 25.32.10.71 and requires watchOS 10.0 or later.
Key features of WhatsApp for Apple Watch:
- Scroll through your chat list directly from your watch.
- View and respond to messages with voice input, emojis, or default quick replies.
- See attached media like images without unlocking your phone.
- Send new messages, not just replies.
- Use disappearing and pinned chats, just like on the phone.
- An automatic connection between iPhone and Apple Watch with no QR code needed.
- A small indicator on the watch shows the app’s connection status.
This feature-rich rollout follows WhatsApp’s earlier success with its Wear OS app for Android smartwatches. Much like that version, the Apple Watch app keeps users connected without needing to pull out their phone constantly.
No Standalone Support Yet
While this is a big upgrade, the app is not fully standalone. You still need your iPhone nearby, as the watch app relies on your phone’s internet connection and account setup.
A standalone version, which could run fully on the watch using Wi-Fi or cellular, is still not available, and Meta has not provided any timeline for when that might happen.
Beta Release Only, For Now
WhatsApp has not made any official announcements about a public rollout of the Apple Watch app. For now, only TestFlight beta users can access it, but the strong feature set and growing interest hint that a broader release may not be far off.
Meanwhile, Meta also announced passkey support for chat backup encryption across Android and iOS, allowing users to secure their backups using biometric data or lock codes instead of complex passwords.
SQ Magazine’s Takeaway
Finally. I’ve been waiting for WhatsApp to show some love to Apple Watch users. Being able to read full chats, reply with voice, or drop an emoji reaction right from your wrist just makes life simpler. No more fumbling for your phone when you’re walking the dog or stuck in a meeting. While it’s not standalone yet, this update is a big leap forward for smartwatch messaging. I’ll definitely be using it daily, and I can’t wait for the full rollout.
