WhatsApp is finally bringing a long-awaited experience to Apple Watch users. The messaging giant has begun testing a dedicated WhatsApp app for Apple Watch, allowing users to chat and reply to messages directly from their wrist—no need to grab the iPhone every time.

According to WABetaInfo, the app is now available through the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS and provides Apple Watch owners with access to chats, quick replies, and media previews. While this marks a major upgrade, the app still functions as a companion app rather than a fully independent one. This means users must keep their iPhone connected for messaging to work, as the Apple Watch version currently lacks standalone capabilities.

That said, this rollout represents a significant leap forward for WhatsApp’s presence on watchOS. Previously, Apple Watch users could only view incoming notifications with limited options to reply. The new app, however, brings a richer interface and interaction model—users can browse chats, send messages, react with emojis, and even send voice messages right from the watch.

The linking process is simple and automatic. Once the Apple Watch is paired with the iPhone, WhatsApp syncs seamlessly—no QR code scanning required. The app also provides a connection indicator on the watch display, showing syncing progress or alerting users if the connection to the iPhone drops.

Within the chat interface, users can see recent conversations, access pinned or disappearing messages, and view shared media. The voice dictation feature allows for quick replies, while a tap-and-hold gesture lets users react to messages instantly. Common response options are available at the bottom of the chat screen for easy access.

Notification handling has also been enhanced. The companion app integrates better with the Apple Watch notification system, allowing users to read and respond to messages, view images, and react directly from notifications—eliminating the need to open the phone for most interactions.

Although this new companion app brings WhatsApp closer to full smartwatch functionality, it still trails behind its Wear OS version. On Android’s smartwatch platform, WhatsApp already supports reading, replying, viewing images, and sending voice notes without needing a connected phone. The Apple Watch variant, by contrast, relies on the iPhone for now.

Despite this limitation, the beta release shows WhatsApp’s clear intent to expand its ecosystem and deliver a better wearable experience. As the beta evolves, more features and standalone capabilities are expected to roll out.

For now, Apple Watch users interested in testing the app can join the WhatsApp beta program to access these early features. Although WhatsApp hasn’t announced an official release date, this beta marks the beginning of a new era for iPhone users who prefer staying connected from their wrist.