Access conversations without using the smartphone Ability to interact with messages using emojis

WhatsApp announced on Tuesday the launch of a new version specifically designed for Apple Watches, a move long awaited by users, according to TechCrunch.

This development allows users to access their conversations without the need to use their smartphone, enabling them to receive call notifications, read full messages, and record and send voice messages directly from the watch.

Following conversations

In a post on its official blog, WhatsApp stated: “This new experience will help you keep up with your conversations without having to take your phone out of your pocket. In addition to reading and replying to messages, WhatsApp on Apple Watch will now support many long-awaited features.”

These features include the ability to interact with messages using emojis, view more of the conversation history when reading messages, and enhance the display of images and stickers to appear clearer on the watch screen.

The company also confirmed that all personal messages and calls are protected with end-to-end encryption, with a promise to add more functions and updates to the Apple Watch app in the future.

To use the new app, it is required to have an Apple Watch Series 4 or later, running watchOS 10 or later. WhatsApp had tested the new app last week before its official launch.

This launch comes as part of WhatsApp’s efforts to expand access to its services beyond smartphones and desktop computers. In May, WhatsApp launched its iPad version, which supports video and voice calls for up to 32 participants, screen sharing, and using both front and rear cameras, offering a more integrated experience compared to the previous version, which relied only on a web browser.

The launch of WhatsApp for Apple Watch comes just months after Snapchat released a similar app on watchOS, which allows users to preview and reply to messages using the keyboard, Scribble, voice dictation, or emojis. WhatsApp, however, focuses on providing a more comprehensive experience, including reading messages and interacting with them directly from the watch.