Some smartwatches support WhatsApp better than others. We’ll tell you which models are our favorites and what limitations you have to live with.
Using WhatsApp on a smartwatch is not as easy as it seems. (Source: dolphfynlow/depositphotos.com)
- We are not aware of any smartwatch that supports a standalone WhatsApp app.
- Instead, many developers and operating systems rely on notifications.
- Models with WearOS for WhatsApp are best suited.
Messenger WhatsApp is the number 1 means of communication, not only in Germany but worldwide. The app is not only used by everyone, it is also available for many platforms: Android, iOS, Windows and many other operating systems support WhatsApp. However, there is no standalone WhatsApp app for smartwatches.
Is there a WhatsApp app for smartwatches?
You won’t find WhatsApp on watches with Google’s WearOS in the Play Store, the same applies to devices with Apple’s WatchOS or the in-house systems Tizen and HarmonyOS from Samsung and Huawei.
Apparently that will change soon. At least for WearOS watches, an app is said to be in the works, reports the WABetaInfo fan site. It can already be tested on the Galaxy Watch 5 and the Pixel Watch, among other things, and also allows voice messages to be sent. When it will appear regularly is still unclear.
Nevertheless, you can already use WhatsApp more or less well on various smartwatches. However, use always requires a paired mobile phone!
Why can I still receive WhatsApp notifications on my?
Why do you still get WhatsApp notifications on your smartwatch without an app? Here the watches take advantage of the interface for notifications. This does not run between the watch and the app itself, but between the watch and Android or iOS. This means that all app notifications are first forwarded to the mobile system, which then forwards them to the watch. This works for many apps, not just WhatsApp.
What are the current restrictions on using WhatsApp on the smartwatch?
However, this detour also entails some limitations. These depend on which smartwatch you own. In the vast majority of cases, however, it is only possible to reply to incoming messages; messages cannot be sent independently – due to the lack of an app.
Voice messages or voice calls via WhatsApp are also not possible with most models. Also, some images, stickers or emojis are not displayed correctly in messages.
Which models are best for WhatsApp?
Recently, however, Samsung has enabled users of their Galaxy Watch 5 to respond to incoming WhatsApp voice calls – you can answer or reject them directly on the watch and also make the call on the watch. This is also possible with Google’s Pixel Watch and all other watches with WearOS 3. Additional apps also make it possible to send voice messages via the watch.
From our point of view, all WearOS smartwatches are currently best suited for using WhatsApp on the watch itself. Not only because they allow you to receive WhatsApp voice calls, but also because they offer a clear display of incoming messages (including showing photos, stickers and profile pictures).
These include the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 5, Google’s Pixel Watch and some models from other manufacturers that have already been updated to WearOS 3, such as Fossil’s Gen 6 watches and select models from TicWatch.
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