WhatsApp has taken the step that many Apple users were waiting for: has begun testing a companion app for the Apple Watch with a small group of testers on iOS. This is a first beta version that, finally, goes beyond simple notifications and brings messaging to the watch. companion app for the Apple Watch
The news, revealed by sources such as BetaInfoThis represents a leap forward compared to the previous situation in watchOS, where interaction was limited to basic notificationsNow, the app offers Direct access to chats, sending messages, and voice notesIn addition to emoji reactions, all from the wrist and with an interface adapted to the watch format.
What does the new app bring to the watch?
This version for watchOS has been designed as a iPhone companion appso the watch inherits the session and conversations from the mobile phone. With it, users can consult the chat list, read recent messages and view images without having to take out your phone.
One of the key things is that you no longer have to wait for a notification to arrive: You can start new messages directly from the Apple Watch, dictate by voice, send audio notes or use emojis and quick replies to respond quickly.
The organization of conversations respects elements of the mobile device, such as chats pinned to the top or those that They are marked as temporaryso that the experience feels familiar and more consistent across devices. conversations
There are also improvements to the connection: the app shows a status indicator It alerts you if the watch is synced, connecting, or if it has lost the link with the iPhone, which is useful for understanding why a chat might take a while to update.
For now, there are limits: calls and video calls are not available The watch and the playback of certain content (such as some videos) remains restricted in this first beta.
How to access the beta and requirements in Spain and Europe
The test is distributed by TestFlight and requires installing the WhatsApp beta for iOS with version number 25.32.10.71Not all users have immediate access: Meta is enabling slots on a limited basis and it is possible that the quota will run out quickly at times.
For it to work on the watch, you need to have watchOS 10.0 or later and have your iPhone paired with your Apple Watch. After installing the beta on your phone, the Watch app may appear automatically if iPhone app installation is enabled on your Apple Watch.
If it doesn't install automatically, you can check in the Watch app on your iPhone, in the tab My watch, and click on Install next to the WhatsApp icon. Unlike WhatsApp Web, here There's no need to scan QR codes, since the linking takes advantage of the watch's own pairing with the phone.
It is worth remembering that this is a betaAccess may vary by region and time, and performance, while promising, may include occasional failures or last-minute changes before the stable release.
So far, the company has not communicated Official release date on the App Store in Spain or the rest of Europe. The final rollout could take weeks or even longer, depending on how the tests progress.
Current limitations and next steps
As of today, the app operates as complementary application And not independently: the iPhone must remain connected and have WhatsApp installed for all functions to remain operational on the Apple Watch.
Among the most relevant limitations are the absence of calls and video calls and restrictions on multimedia contentHowever, the beta version already allows users to view images, compose and send messages. record audio and react with emojisThis represents a significant improvement over the notification-based experience.
Sources close to the test indicate that the initial performance is smooth and that real-time synchronization The connection between mobile and watch works consistently, with the connection indicator helping to diagnose occasional disconnections.
The strategy fits with WhatsApp's roadmap on other platforms: following multi-device support on desktops and tablets, and the arrival of the app on Wear OS, watchOS was the next logical stepIt is possible that future versions will gain autonomy, although there is no official confirmation at this time.
For those who use the Apple Watch on a daily basis, this first beta leaves a clear impression: Finally, it's possible to manage messaging more comprehensively from your wrist.With the exception of the iPhone dependency, we are waiting for WhatsApp to specify deadlines and expand functions in future updates.
