WhatsApp on Smartwatch (Apple Watch, Garmin, Fitbit, Samsung, and more)

You probably use it every day: WhatsApp. But can you also use WhatsApp on your smartwatch? In this blog, we will explain how to use and install WhatsApp on smartwatches.

Why use WhatsApp on your smartwatch?

It can be useful to use WhatsApp on your smartwatch, for example when you don't want to bring your phone with you. You’re working out with your smartwatch, but without your phone? With WhatsApp on your smartwatch, you can still respond to important messages.

Also, thanks to WhatsApp notifications on your smartwatch, you can easily see or feel when you receive a message. Some smartwatches can give a small vibration signal, which you can feel, but no one can hear like you might with a phone.

Do I need WiFi or 5G for WhatsApp on a smartwatch?

You don't always need a WiFi or 5G network to receive WhatsApp messages on your smartwatch. Some smartwatches can use WhatsApp through your phone's network. In this case, you can still receive messages via Bluetooth, as long as your phone is in close range to your smartwatch.

If you do have WiFi or 5G connectivity on your smartwatch, you can use WhatsApp without having to be near your phone. A smartwatch with WiFi or 5G does, however, tend to be more expensive than a Bluetooth-only model.

Can I download WhatsApp on my smartwatch?

WhatsApp for smartwatches often works through the notifications you receive. You can receive these on your smartwatch, and then also respond via the smartwatch. Usually, it is not possible to download a separate app on your smartwatch. This means that you can't use the full functionality of WhatsApp on a smartwatch.

You can, however, use WhatsApp through third-party apps. These are not official apps, but they do give you access to all the features of WhatsApp on your smartwatch. As they are from third parties, we cannot guarantee that these apps will work properly or be secure. Always do your own research before installing a third-party WhatsApp on your smartwatch.

WhatsApp for Apple Watch

Using WhatsApp on your Apple Watch smartwatch is very easy. However, you need to enable a few settings first. After that, you can receive and respond to WhatsApp messages on your Apple Watch. To enable WhatsApp on your Apple Watch, you need to follow a few steps:

1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone
2. Navigate to ‘My Watch’ and click on ‘Notifications’
3. Set the WhatsApp switch to green

Unfortunately, you can't yet type messages to reply on the Apple Watch, which is something that can be done with the Galaxy Watch 4 and 5. However, you can choose from a few standard messages. The most convenient way is to respond with a voice message. This is easily done via your Apple Watch.

WhatsApp for Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 & 7

WhatsApp works quite well on the Galaxy Watch 6 and 7. You can now make calls via WhatsApp, but also respond to messages via a keyboard or voice message. We have written an extensive blog on how to use WhatsApp on the Galaxy Watch 6 and 7. Here, you can read how to install and use WhatsApp on your Samsung smartwatch.

WhatsApp for Garmin smartwatches

You can receive WhatsApp notifications on the Garmin sport watches and smartwatches. This is possible for both Android phones and iPhone. To enable WhatsApp on your Garmin smartwatch, you need to follow a few steps:

1. Open the Garmin Connect App
2. Navigate to ‘Smart Notifications’
3. Under ‘Social Media’, turn on the slider for WhatsApp

You can now receive and reply to WhatsApp messages on your Garmin smartwatch. It’s still not working? Try disconnecting and reconnecting your smartwatch and smartphone. It is also possible that your Garmin Connect App does not have permission to receive your notifications. You can turn this on in the Settings → Security  → Notifications.

WhatsApp for Fitbit smartwatches

Many of the Fitbit smartwatches can also receive notifications. You can easily set up WhatsApp on a Fitbit. To do this, follow these few simple steps.

1. Open the Fitbit App on your phone
2. Find your device and click on 'Notifications'
3. Give the app access to notifications and contacts

Most Fitbit watches only allow you to respond with quick messages. These are pre-written messages that you can choose from depending on the WhatsApp message you receive. Also, not every Fitbit has WiFi or 5G capability. Therefore, make sure your Fitbit is close to your phone to receive WhatsApp messages. Read more about how WhatsApp works on a Fitbit.

WhatsApp for Wear OS smartwatches

Many smartwatches run on Wear OS – you could call it the Android of smartwatches. WhatsApp works quite well with Wear OS. Wear OS is used by Samsung, Google, Fossil, Huawei, and Oppo smartwatches, among others. To activate WhatsApp on your Wear OS smartwatch, you need to follow these few steps:

1. Connect the smartwatch to your phone
2. Navigate to the settings on your smartwatch
3. Click on ‘notifications’
4. Turn on the WhatsApp slider

Wear OS smartwatches work best with Android phones. If you have an iPhone, you cannot respond to messages via your smartwatch. With an Android phone paired with a Wear OS smartwatch, you can. 

What should I do if WhatsApp is not working on the smartwatch?

You may have followed all the steps, but what if WhatsApp is still not working on your smartwatch? Here are some steps you can follow to find out what's wrong. In addition, it is also possible that your specific smartwatch cannot receive WhatsApp messages.

1. Check the connection between your smartphone and smartwatch
2. Make sure your WhatsApp and phone settings allow notifications to be sent to your smartwatch
3. Restart your smartwatch, or reconnect it to your smartphone
4. Check if your specific smartwatch has the ability to receive notifications

Conclusion

WhatsApp has become part of our daily lives. It is therefore useful to receive WhatsApp messages on your smartwatch. With most smartwatch models, you can easily receive notifications from WhatsApp. However, you can't always fully respond or start new chats. For this, you will need your phone or a third-party app.

Frequently asked questions

How do I receive WhatsApp messages on my smartwatch?
You can easily receive WhatsApp messages with most smartwatches. Go to settings, navigate to ‘notifications’, and enable notifications from WhatsApp. Ensure a good connection with your smartphone.

Can you use WhatsApp with a smartwatch?
You can easily use WhatsApp with a smartwatch. Usually, you can only reply to messages. You won't be able to start new chats in most cases.

Why doesn't WhatsApp work on my watch?
It is possible that the notifications on your smartwatch are disabled. Make sure that everything that needs to be turned on is, in fact, turned on. Ensure a good connection with your smartphone.