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A Genuine Apple Watch App, Still Tied to the iPhone
According to WABetaInfo, the latest WhatsApp build on TestFlight includes a native app for the Apple Watch. Until now, watch users only received simple notifications with no real means of interaction.
This new version introduces some appealing features: viewing recent chats, quick replies, emoji reactions, and automatic synchronization with the iPhone, eliminating the need to scan a QR code as required on other devices.
WABetaInfo reports, The connection between WhatsApp on the iPhone and on the Apple Watch is fully automatic. Once the watch is paired, the app displays a status indicator at the top of the screen to show sync status, active connection, or any potential disconnection.
In other words, the experience becomes much smoother: users can now scroll through their chat list directly from their wrist, without needing to pull out their iPhone with every notification.
Not Yet a Standalone Version
However, caution is advised: this first version is not yet independent. The app still relies on the iPhone to function, as is the case for many third-party apps that use the watchOS APIs.
No official release date or information about a standalone version has been announced, and Meta has not yet officially commented on the leak. Nevertheless, the presence of this app in the public beta suggests that an official release could happen in the coming weeks.
A Long-Requested Progress
For years, Apple Watch users have been demanding proper integration for WhatsApp, even as Telegram, Messenger, and iMessage have long offered richer interactions. This version—though still dependent on the iPhone—represents a significant first step toward making messaging more accessible and responsive on watchOS.
If Meta continues down this path, a 100% independent version might follow, capable of operating without an iPhone nearby, using Wi-Fi or 4G. This would transform the Apple Watch into a true communication hub, rather than just an extension of the iPhone.