An official WhatsApp app is finally available for Wear OS smartwatches, with the messaging platform releasing a beta ahead of a potential full release.
While support for WhatsApp was previously limited to notifications, the new app helps deliver a much fuller, untethered experience.
Once opened, the main screen mimics the phone version, featuring a list of your most recent chats. If you scroll down, you also have the option to load more from your stream, check settings and 'Open on phone'.
If you open a recent conversation or group chat, you'll be able to view messages, reply using the app's voice message function, dictate messages, or type something out through the keyboard.
At this stage, the WhatsApp app can also be set up as a complication on a watch face and show the number of unread messages, while a pair of tiles are also available, allowing users to quickly jump into their recent contacts or record a voice message, respectively.
There doesn't appear to be any option within the app to initiate phone-free calls from the wrist from what we can see, however.
Wareable
Once you've joined the beta via the Google Play WhatsApp registration page, it's fairly simple to get started.
Updating WhatsApp on our phone helped kick in a download on our Wear OS watch, and, once the installation was complete, all that's required to access the app is an eight-digit code from the watch to be entered on the corresponding phone.
Of course, at least for now, access will be limited to those who are signed up for WhatsApp's beta program - and there's no telling when a public version might go live.
As with anything of this nature, though, it's likely the full rollout will begin over the next few months - perhaps in line with the next major Wear OS update.
This is expected to launch alongside the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 later this summer, with the company already teasing some upcoming features of its Wear OS skin, One UI 5 Watch.
Until then, stay tuned for more news on this long-awaited integration.
How we test
Conor moved to Wareable Media Group in 2017, initially covering all the latest developments in smartwatches, fitness trackers, and VR. He made a name for himself writing about trying out translation earbuds on a first date and cycling with a wearable airbag, as well as covering the industry’s latest releases.
Following a stint as Reviews Editor at Pocket-lint, Conor returned to Wareable Media Group in 2022 as Editor-at-Large. Conor has become a wearables expert, and helps people get more from their wearable tech, via Wareable's considerable how-to-based guides.
He has also contributed to British GQ, Wired, Metro, The Independent, and The Mirror.