How to get whatsapp notifications on apple watch
WhatsApp on Apple Watch explained: How to send and receive messages
Getting WhatsApp notifications on your Apple Watch is a great way of staying connected – and can help you become less attached to your smartphone.
It's important to understand that there's no official WhatsApp app for the Apple Watch. However, it is possible to receive notifications and reply to messages straight from the wrist, thanks to built-in integrations.
With WhatsApp on Apple Watch you can:
- Read notifications
- Reply to messages
However, you cannot (as standard):
- Browse received messages
- Initiate a conversation with a contact
- See multimedia, such as pictures or videos
Learn how to use WhatsApp on the Apple Watch by following our guide below, where we'll provide the key steps on setting up WhatsApp notifications and a very cool workaround to get you sending messages from the wrist.
- Essential Apple Watch features, tips and tricks you need to know
- Best Apple Watch apps
- Apple Watch Series 8 review
Get WhatsApp notifications on Apple Watch
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If you're going through standard, official channels, you can receive notifications and reply from the Apple Watch.
However, you will need to ensure notifications are turned on first in order to have them mirrored to your phone.
1. On your iPhone, go to the Watch app.
2. From the My Watch tab, tap Notifications.
3. Scroll down to WhatsApp and ensure the switch is turned green. You'll see the option to mirror iPhone alerts to bring those WhatsApp alerts to your wrist.
Once notifications are turned on, you'll notice that your wrist buzzes whenever a message is sent.
And you can send messages on WhatsApp through the Apple Watch?
That is a lot easier now thanks to the QWERTY keyboard announced with the Apple Watch Series 7 (and found on Series 8/Ultra).
First up, you can pick from a list of simple options to reply, such as, 'Hello', 'What's up?', 'OK' or 'On my way'.
What's more, you can record a custom reply via voice recognition and send that straight back to the recipient.
And if that's not enough you can even type out your response on the keyboard.
It's tiny but quite intuitive.
- Best Apple Watch faces
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1. Go to the received WhatsApp message notification on the Apple Watch
2. Tap Reply
3. Scroll down and choose one of the custom responses
4. If you want to craft your own reply, you can hit the microphone and record your message.
Send WhatsApp Messages from Apple Watch
Fabian Heuwieser
At the top of this article, we said that (as standard) you couldn't send WhatsApp messages from your Apple Watch. But there is a workaround.
The tip came from Fabian Heuwieser, who specializes in using the Apple Shortcuts app. He's created a shortcut, that enables you to send a WhatsApp Message from the wrist, even if you're using LTE.
To get started just head to his blog and download the pre-written Shortcut, which will automatically be added to your Apple Watch.
There are two Shortcuts, one that opens your contacts (which we found fiddly to choose a recipient) and a second that enables you to pre-set some favorites.
We explain how below.
To set up WhatsApp shortcuts:
1. Download the Shortcuts using the link above.
2. Head to the Shortcuts app on iPhone
3. Choose the Template option and tap the button to edit
4. Rename the first contact
5. Now scroll down below to the entry. It will say "Send [Text] to [X]. Tap this last entry.
6. Choose a contact. Repeat for other entries.
To send a WhatsApp message:
1. Head to the Shortcuts app
2. Run the Shortcut
3. Choose a contact
4. Write your message (we prefer to use Siri in this instance
5. Press send.
WhatsApp alternative app
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As we alluded to up top, there's no official WhatsApp app available for the Apple Watch. However, that doesn't mean there aren't third-party alternatives to choose from within the Apple Watch App Store.
It's worth noting that there's many to choose from, both free and paid-for, and it can be difficult to work out which third-party WhatsApp solutions are the most effective and reliable in providing a fuller experience.
In our experience, WatchChat 2 (which costs $2.99/£2.99) is probably the pick of the bunch, at least for now.
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Not only does it let you view and send messages in all your existing chats, as well as dictation and Scribble, watch videos, and view stickers, but it's also fairly simple to get started. Here's how:
1. On your iPhone, go to the Watch app and tap on the App Store.
2. In the search box, type in 'WatchChat 2', then download the app to your Apple Watch.
3. Once downloaded, open the app on your Apple Watch.
4. Then, head to WhatsApp on your iPhone, before going to Settings > WhatsApp Web > Scan QR code.
5. Scan the QR code that appears on the Apple Watch.
More Apple Watch guides
How to make an Apple Watch face
How to use Apple Health
How to use Spotify on Apple Watch
How to add music tracks to Apple Watch
How to update Apple Watch
How to take an ECG reading on Apple Watch
How to pair Apple Watch
How to improve Apple Watch battery life
How to use WhatsApp on an Apple Watch
WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app globally, but for some reason, its owner Facebook has not seen a need to make a WhatsApp app for Apple Watch. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use WhatsApp on your Apple Watch. Here’s a rundown on setting things up, and what you can and can’t do with WhatsApp on Apple Watch.
Read more: How to use WhatsApp
QUICK ANSWER
To get limited WhatsApp functionality on an Apple Watch, connect your Watch to your phone using Bluetooth. Then toggle on WhatsApp notifications in both iOS settings and the Watch app. You can now reply to text messages using voice dictation.
JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS
- Can you get WhatsApp on Apple Watch?
- How to connect WhatsApp to Apple Watch
- How to review and reply to WhatsApp notifications on Apple Watch
- How to edit default suggestions on your Apple Watch
- Are there third-party WhatsApp apps for Apple Watch?
Can you get WhatsApp on Apple Watch?
At the time of writing, WhatsApp owner Facebook has not brought out an official version for Apple Watch. Many people are convinced such an app will never appear, given Facebook’s desire to more closely integrate WhatsApp with Facebook Messenger and Instagram Chat instead.
However, you can still get limited WhatsApp functionality on your Apple Watch in the form of new message notifications. You can also reply to messages using voice dictation. However, you can’t type message replies or view media in messages, such as images.
How to connect or disconnect WhatsApp to Apple Watch
First, ensure that Bluetooth is enabled on your iPhone, and that your Apple Watch is connected to that Bluetooth connection.
You can check by going to Settings > Bluetooth.
You need to have WhatsApp installed on your iPhone and enable WhatsApp notifications in iPhone settings. You can allow notifications on your iPhone by going to Settings > Notifications > WhatsApp. Toggle on Allow Notifications, and enable all three alerts.
Now go to your Apple Watch app (if you haven’t installed it yet, you can obtain it here). Go to Notifications and scroll down to the section called MIRROR IPHONE ALERTS FROM. Toggle on WhatsApp at the bottom.
From now on, any WhatsApp notifications received on your iPhone will now appear on your Apple Watch. To switch off those notifications in the future, toggle off WhatsApp in the Notifications section.
How to review and reply to WhatsApp notifications on Apple Watch
When a new message arrives on your iPhone’s WhatsApp, a red dot notification will appear on your Watch face.
It will show the WhatsApp logo and who the message is from. Note that you cannot access older archived WhatsApp messages — you can only see new ones.
Tap the message to read it. Remember that images will appear blurred and unviewable, and voice messages cannot be listened to on the Watch. For that, you will need to go to your phone.
Dismiss will wipe it from the screen and mark it as read in the WhatsApp iOS app. If you tap Dismiss, you won’t be able to bring the message back to the Apple Watch screen ever again.
To reply to a text message, tap Reply. You then have a choice of using three reply methods. The first one is short preconfigured replies called Suggestions. Tapping on one will immediately send it to the other person on WhatsApp.
You can also scribble with your finger on the middle of the screen, and (hopefully) the Watch will be able to read your writing and convert it to text.
You can also tap the microphone icon in the bottom right-hand corner to dictate your reply.
The emoji icon will allow you to insert the appropriate smiley as well.
Read More: Can you use an Apple Watch with an Android phone?
How to edit suggested replies on your Apple Watch
If the default list of suggestions isn’t fit for your use, you can edit them with ease.
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone
- Select the My Watch tab
- Select Messages > Default Replies > Edit
- You can now tap on a default reply and edit it as you see fit
You can also move replies up or down the priority list to make your frequently used replies easier to access.
Are there third-party WhatsApp apps for Apple Watch?
There are a lot of third-party WhatsApp apps — some good, some not so good. But as far as the ones that work with the Apple Watch are concerned, there is a good one that addresses some of the issues highlighted above.
WatchChat 2 is an app that brings a lot of missing WhatsApp functionality to the Apple Watch.
Although it is not an official WhatsApp app, it still has a rating of at least 4.5 out of 5 on the App Store, with many people praising the customer service. The app is free with an optional $2.99 in-app purchase.
So what does it provide? You can read old messages, listen to and send voice messages, and type replies with a rudimentary keyboard, the same way you typed SMS messages on old-style mobile phones. You can also watch videos, view stickers and images, start a new chat, and more.
FAQs
Technically, no. There’s no official WhatsApp app for the Apple Watch. However, you can reply to messages through the Apple Watch’s notifications system.
Currently, no. You can’t answer WhatsApp phone calls on Apple Watch. You will receive notifications of WhatsApp calls, but to make or answer a WhatsApp call, you must use your phone or the desktop app.
If you’re only missing an audio tone, you’ve most likely enabled Do Not Disturb on your Watch. Swipe up on your watch face to access the settings to turn it off.
If the red bell icon has a diagonal line through it, tap the icon once, and the red line will disappear. If your Watch is not vibrating when a notification arrives, go to your Watch app and select Sound & Haptics. Ensure Silent Mode is off and Haptic Alerts is on.
If you receive other notifications on your Apple Watch, the issue probably lies with WhatsApp notification alerts on your iPhone. Head to Settings > Notifications on your iPhone and check if WhatsApp is allowed to send through lock screen notifications or banners. Selecting either should fix the issue.
Apple Watch Notifications - Apple Support (UK)
You can customize when and how notifications are received on your Apple Watch so you can respond to them quickly or view them in a way that suits you.
Where notifications appear
Notifications appear on Apple Watch or iPhone, but not both.
If your iPhone is unlocked, you'll receive notifications on your iPhone instead of your Apple Watch.
If iPhone is locked or in sleep mode, you will receive notifications on your Apple Watch unless your Apple Watch is locked.
Some apps, like Noise, are only available on Apple Watch. Notifications for these apps do not appear on iPhone.
If you have unread notifications, a red notification icon appears at the top of the watch face. If you want to hide the notification icon, open the Apple Watch app on iPhone, tap Notifications, and then turn off the notification light.
Notifications read or closed on Apple Watch will also be closed on iPhone.
Viewing and interacting with a notification
When a notification appears, you can tap on it to see more options. Depending on the app that sent the notification, you can reply to a message, call someone back, send an email to the archive, and more.
When the Apple Watch screen is dim and inactive, notifications are shown in full screen. If you're using an Apple Watch, notifications appear as a banner at the top of the display.
View all unread notifications on Apple Watch
- Touch and hold the top of the watch face to open the Notification Center. This can be done on any screen.
- Wait for the Notification Center to open and swipe down.
- Turn the Digital Crown to scroll or swipe up and down on the watch face.
- Click on the notification to read it. To read a notification from a stack, tap the stack and select a notification.
- To delete a notification, swipe left and then click the delete button.
Clear all unread notifications on your Apple Watch
- Touch and hold the top of the watch face to open the Notification Center.
- Turn the Digital Crown or swipe down from the watch face to the top of the screen.
- Tap Clear All.
Turn off app notifications temporarily or permanently on Apple Watch
- Touch and hold the top of the watch face.
- Wait for the Notification Center to open and swipe down.
- Swipe left on the notification you want to disable, then tap the More button .
- Select one of the options available for this application. Depending on the app, you can turn off notifications for the rest of the day, turn them off for an hour, or turn them off forever.
You can turn on app notifications if you want to see them again:
- Open the Apple Watch app on iPhone and go to the My Watch tab.
- Click Notifications.
- Scroll down to the list of installed apps, then enable the app you want to receive notifications from.
Customize notification settings on your Apple Watch
- Open the Apple Watch app on iPhone and go to the My Watch tab.
- Click Notifications.
- Click on an application to see its options. To use the same notification settings for apps on your Apple Watch and iPhone, tap Snooze iPhone.
In some applications, notifications can be changed. Click Customize, then choose an option: - "Allow notifications": notifications are displayed in the Notification Center and are accompanied by a signal on the Apple Watch.
- "Send to Notification Center": Notifications are sent directly to the Notification Center without being accompanied by a signal to the Apple Watch.
- "Notifications off": The application does not send notifications.
- When configuring notifications for an application, they can also be combined into groups. Tap Grouping, then select one of the options: Off, Automatic, or By Application.
Some apps support advanced customization, while others only allow you to completely turn off notifications on your Apple Watch. Scroll to the Snooze iPhone notifications from section and turn off the corresponding app.
Learn how to change your notification sound settings.
Keep notifications private
When you raise your wrist to view a notification, you see a summary, and after a few seconds, details appear.
To turn off the display of notification details, do the following:
- Open the Watch app on iPhone and go to the My Watch tab.
- Tap Notifications, then turn on Reveal Notification by Tap.
- When you receive a notification, tap it to view the details.
Whether your Apple Watch is locked or unlocked, notification overviews or brief notifications are displayed by default. The short notification displays a screen with the app's name and icon, as well as the title of the notification. You can turn off brief notifications when your Apple Watch is locked.
- Open the Watch app on iPhone and go to the My Watch tab.
- Click "Notifications" and turn off the "View Only When Locked" option.
Apple Watch does not display notifications
If the connection between devices is disconnected, notifications appear on iPhone instead of Apple Watch. To test your connection, swipe up from the watch face to open Control Center.
If the connection between devices is down, you may see a red iPhone icon, a red X icon, or a Wi-Fi icon. Try connecting your iPhone and Apple Watch to each other.
iPhone receives notifications when the Apple Watch is locked or Do Not Disturb is enabled:
- When the Apple Watch is locked, a lock icon is displayed on the watch face.
- When Do Not Disturb is enabled, the watch face displays the Do Not Disturb icon. To turn off this feature, swipe up from the watch face, then tap the Do Not Disturb button.
Notifications from third-party apps only appear if the paired iPhone is also connected to the network.
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Apple Watch doesn't receive Whatsapp notifications: why it doesn't show up
If you don't receive WhatsApp notifications on your Apple Watch, don't worry! But you need to read our review and find out how to deal with the situation.
Nobody likes to miss notifications - we will teach you how to solve the problem yourself in a few minutes.
How to enable notifications
First, let's talk about how to enable WhatsApp notifications on Apple Watch. Perhaps notifications are not being received because you have not activated the option? We recommend doing the following manipulations to every lucky owner of the device:
- Open the Watch app on your smartphone – it is pre-installed automatically and free of charge;
- Find the "My watch" section and go to the "Notifications" block;
- Move the toggle switch in the "Indicator" line to the active position;
- Find the messenger below in the list and click on the enable button.
Done, now WhatsApp notifications on Apple Watch will come - you will know about calls and messages in time! Make sure you have set the correct settings. It did not help?
Possible causes
There are other causes that cannot be ignored.
Often, inexperienced users simply do not know why WhatsApp is not displayed on Apple Watch - we have to help them.
Broken connection
The first reason is a broken connection between devices. In this case, you will see a red phone icon, a cross or a Wi-Fi icon. You need to pair your devices again!
- Place devices close together;
- Make sure that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on on the iPhone, airplane mode is turned off;
- If this does not help, let's break the pair - then create it again, restore performance.
Briefly about how to break a couple:
- Open the settings on the watch;
- Go to "Basic", then "Reset";
- Click "Erase Content...";
- On your smartphone, open the Watch app and click "My Watch";
- Click on the information icon next to the desired device and select the "Break" value.
And now pair again to make it work:
- Turn on and put on the watch;
- Bring them to the iPhone and wait for the usage message to appear;
- Click on the continue button;
- Position the phone over the animation on the screen;
- Wait for the message that the pair has been created.
