WhatsApp is finally coming to smartwatches soon

We’ve been waiting for this for years!

It may sound unbelievable, but until now there hasn’t been an app for WhatsApp on smartwatches. That all changed abruptly with the Google I/O.

Beta testers can already get their hands on the software that’s available for newer smartwatches like the Pixel Watch or Galaxy Watch 5.

Once set up using an 8-digit code, the software offers numerous functions and widgets. Oh yes, the end-to-end encryption is retained even after synchronization with the clock.

What can WhatsApp do on Wear OS?

So far, WhatsApp has only worked on smart watches via notifications. That means you can react to an incoming message – and that’s it.

The native WhatsApp app changes that.

That is new: The clock now shows you the last ten chats, each with a short preview of the last message. If you open one of them, you can read the history just like on a cell phone.

The major difference: Not only messages are displayed, but also emojis, photos and stickers. It is currently particularly annoying that smartwatches cannot display photos. After all, you have to reach for your smartphone.

That will not do: GIFs and videos are currently not supported, you will get one instead Message unsupported.

Quelle: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

Of course you can also reply to messages via the watch.

Even better.

Voice messages are also supported.

Quelle: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

That’s right: WhatsApp on Wear OS lets you listen to and record voice messages without having to pick up your phone. No more typing on a tiny keyboard. This could permanently change communication via the smartwatch.

Comfort functions have also been considered: If desired, unread messages can be displayed directly on the watch face. So you can see immediately if someone is waiting for your answer. Of course, the widget also serves as a shortcut directly to the app.

Quelle: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

Also new: Tile-Support.

Quelle: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

You can choose between two tiles. Either the last five chats including shortcut, or the last three chats with the option to send a voice message to one of each.

When will WhatsApp for Wear OS be available to everyone?

The software is currently in the beta phase. Only selected users may test the functions. When it will be available to everyone is not yet known.

You can read everything about the Google I/O again in our live ticker.

Quelle: Android Authority

At Google I/O, AI was the big star of the night, but a native WhatsApp app for smartwatches is what many of us have been waiting for. To the smartwatch wearers among you: Do you use the message service via the watch? Or do you grab your cell phone? And do you think that a native app makes communication easier? The comment column is open!