One of the biggest advantages of Wear OS smartwatches is the ability to install third-party apps. While there’s a good range of apps to choose from, popular apps such as WhatsApp have been missing. Well, that has now changed, thanks to the developers over at WhatsApp. If you use the instant messaging service, this guide will tell you how to install and use WhatsApp on a Wear OS smartwatch.
Until now, you could only reply to incoming WhatsApp messages via your smartwatch. Now that there’s a native Wear OS app, you can even initiate conversations directly from your wrist. Sounds convenient, doesn’t it? Here’s the list of supported devices followed by steps to install WhatsApp on your Wear OS smartwatch.
WhatsApp for Wear OS: Supported Devices
The Wear OS version of WhatsApp is compatible with all smartwatches running Wear OS 3 and above. Some examples include the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 5, and the Google Pixel Watch.
It’s also important to know that WhatsApp for Wear OS is still in the beta stage. So, it will first roll out to individuals who are a part of WhatsApp’s beta testing program. If you’re not, wait for a few days or weeks and the stable version will roll out as well.
How to Set Up WhatsApp on a Wear OS Smartwatch
As with most apps, WhatsApp for Wear OS can be installed via the Play Store on your smartwatch. Follow the steps below for the complete procedure.
Install WhatsApp on Your Smartwatch
Step 1: Open the Google Play Store app on the smartphone linked to your Wear OS smartwatch. Select the search bar at the top.
Step 2: Search for WhatsApp. Tap on the result that shows up.
Step 3: Select WhatsApp from the list of apps.
Step 4: You will now see an option to install the Wear OS version of the app on your smartwatch. It’s under the ‘Available on more devices’ tab. Tap on the Install button.
Step 5: The installation will begin on your smartwatch. Once the app is installed, open it on your smartwatch.
How to Log In to WhatsApp on Wear OS
Step 1: As soon as you open WhatsApp on your smartwatch, you will get a notification on your smartphone to link a new device. Tap on it.
Step 2: Select the Confirm button under the ‘Are you trying to link a device’ prompt.
Step 3: You will see an 8-digit alphanumeric code on your smartwatch. Enter this code on your smartphone.
WhatsApp will now sync all your chats on your smartwatch.
That’s pretty much it. You can now text your friends straight from your wrist!
Features on WhatsApp for Wear OS
Now that you have WhatsApp on your smartwatch, here’s everything you can do on the app.
- View all your conversations on WhatsApp including media
- Open conversations and read entire chats
- Send messages to anyone on WhatsApp
However, note that you cannot message contacts you haven’t texted earlier using your phone. Essentially, there’s no New Message button so you can only send messages to those who you’ve previously had a conversation with.
Another new addition we observed is that if you get a WhatsApp notification on your watch, there’s now an ‘Open on watch’ button.
Tapping on this will open the chat directly on your watch.
FAQs for WhatsApp on Wear OS
There’s still no word about a native version of WhatsApp for the Apple Watch. However, you can still use WhatsApp on your Apple Watch using a few workarounds.
You only need a smartphone to link WhatsApp to your watch. Once done, you can use WhatsApp on your watch without your phone. Of course, provided your watch has cellular connectivity.
Yes, you can see pictures sent by others directly on your watch.
Chat on the Move
You don’t have to whip out your phone every time you want to text someone on WhatsApp anymore. Use WhatsApp on your Wear OS smartwatch to send messages and view them as well. We hope WhatsApp adds more features like the ability to make calls or view status updates directly from the watch going forward.
Last updated on 11 May, 2023
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
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