WhatsApp Testing an App for Wear OS Smartwatches

WhatsApp is testing a Wear OS app for the Pixel Watch, Galaxy Watch 5, and other wearables.

As 9to5Google reports(Opens in a new window), the feature requires an eight-digit setup code, and lets users scroll through individual or group chats and reply with a voice message or via the system keyboard.

The app also displays a list of recent contacts, Settings, group chat participants, and an “Open on phone” option. According to WABetaInfo(Opens in a new window), messaging on a smartwatch still preserves end-to-end encryption, so you can be sure your conversations are safe from prying eyes.

Anyone with an Android phone and watch running version 2.23.10.10+ can sign up online(Opens in a new window) for the WhatsApp Wear OS beta, though we should note that beta versions may include unreleased, unstable versions of the application. If it doesn’t appear in the on-watch Play Store, 9to5Google suggests installing it from the listing on your phone.

Wear OS pairs with Android and iOS handsets to sync notifications, track health and fitness, control media, and more. Since its introduction in 2014, the platform has rebranded, acquired Fitbit, and collaborated with Samsung.

The Meta-owned messaging service did once offer an Android Wear app, Android Police notes(Opens in a new window), but eventually pulled it due to lack of adoption. Ever since, smartwatch owners have been able to see and reply to WhatsApp texts only via Wears OS notifications; there is currently no way to access conversations or send unprompted messages.

Neither Meta nor Google immediately responded to PCMag’s request for comment.

Keep an eye out for potential new details during this week’s Google I/O developers conference.

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