WhatsApp beta teases much-needed feature for smartwatch owners
WhatsApp calls are finally coming to WearOS smartwatches
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A newWhatsAppbeta release has dropped, and with it comes compatibility withWear OS 3smartwatches – so if you have the beta installed you’ll finally get notifications and be able to answer WhatsApp calls using your wearable.
Plus, you won’t need to go digging through your settings on your phone or smartwatch; once you’ve downloaded the update the feature will be turned on automatically (ViaReddit).
Interestingly (or unfortunately for those of you who love communicating through your watch) the feature is currently a one-way affair. While you can answer WhatsApp calls and interact with the caller just as you would with any other call on your watch, you can’t initiate a call from your wearable; instead, you’ll have to use the WhatsApp phone app or a different service if you want to get in touch with someone.
As mentioned above, to use the feature you’ll need both the latest version of the WhatsApp beta (version 2.22.19.11) and a Wear OS 3 smartwatch. Right now the list of devices is fairly limited, and includes theSamsung Galaxy Watch 4, theMontblanc Summit 3, and the newly launchedSamsung Galaxy Watch 5.
Other watches, like theFossil Gen 6andTicWatch Pro 3, are expected to be updated to WearOS 3 sometime in the near future, and we imagine the upcomingGoogle Pixel Watchwill launch with the OS too. But for now, you’re mostly stuck withSamsung’s smartwatches.
If you have one of these devices and want to take advantage of the WhatsApp beta release, all you have to do is head over to theofficial WhatsApp test pageon theGoogle Play store. Right now it’s showing up as full; you might get lucky and be able to snag a spot if someone leaves, but we expect it won’t be long before the option becomes available in the full WhatsApp release.
Looking for an app you can use today? Check out our picks for thebest Android appsyou can download to yourAndroid 13smartphone.
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Hamish is a Senior Staff Writer for TechRadar and you’ll see his name appearing on articles across nearly every topic on the site from smart home deals to speaker reviews to graphics card news and everything in between. He uses his broad range of knowledge to help explain the latest gadgets and if they’re a must-buy or a fad fueled by hype. Though his specialty is writing about everything going on in the world of virtual reality and augmented reality.
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