WhatsApp is in the process of testing its long-anticipated Wear OS application designed for compatible smartwatches. This feature has been identified in the latest beta version of WhatsApp for Android, specifically 2.23.10.10, and is gradually being made available to a select group of beta testers through the Google Play Store. The update suggests that the app can now be operated on smartwatches.
A report from WABetaInfo indicates that the latest beta version has introduced support for Wear OS on smartwatches. Some beta testers who have updated to version 2.23.10.10 have reported that they can access their WhatsApp chats and listen to voice messages directly on their Wear OS devices.
The beta tracker has also provided a screenshot demonstrating a notification that facilitates the linking of a WhatsApp account to a Wear OS smartwatch. Importantly, messages received through the smartwatch application will maintain end-to-end encryption, similar to the security measures present on the mobile app. However, it is worth noting that the Wear OS version of WhatsApp currently does not support making voice calls.
Beta users interested in testing the Wear OS functionality can download the updated WhatsApp beta for Android (version 2.23.10.10) from the Google Play Store. When attempting to link their smartwatch, they will receive an eight-digit code on the device. Upon completing this process, synchronization between the two devices will occur, allowing users to access their WhatsApp chats on their smartwatch.
At this stage, it appears that the Wear OS application for WhatsApp is not available for accounts associated with WhatsApp Business profiles.
In addition to this development, WhatsApp is also trialing a feature that would allow users to silence calls from unknown numbers within the Android app. This feature, found in the beta version 2.23.10.7, adds a toggle option in the Settings under Privacy. Users can enable this function to mute calls from potentially spammy numbers, although these calls will still appear in the Calls log and under notifications.
