WhatsApp will soon let you take voice calls on your Wear OS smartwatch running Wear OS version 3 or newer. The messaging app is beta testing this feature among some users. 9to5Google picked up this ability with WhatsApp beta version 2.22.19.12 on a Pixel 6 smartphone. The publication confirmed receiving WhatsApp voice calls on a connected Samsung Galaxy Watch 5.
Some Redditors have also confirmed receiving this feature on a Galaxy Watch 4 with WhatsApp beta version 2.22.19.11. So WhatsApp seems to have added the ability with a recent beta update. Along with Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 5 series, support for WhatsApp voice calls should also be available to users with the Montblanc Summit 3, which is the only other Wear OS 3 smartwatch out there.
Interestingly, the two reports show two different UI for WhatsApp voice calls on a Galaxy Watch. The screenshot shared by 9to5Google shows the call as a regular incoming call with no way to distinguish that it’s a WhatsApp call. But the Reedit post contains a screenshot that shows the WhatsApp branding below the contact name and number. This UI resembles Samsung’s One UI Watch software, suggesting that the device is paired with a Galaxy smartphone. As said earlier, 9to5Google had their Galaxy Watch 5 paired with a Pixel 6.
Things will likely change by the time WhatsApp is ready to publicly roll out this feature. It may offer the same UI across all Wear OS smartwatches regardless of which device they are connected to. And the UI with the WhatsApp branding would be more ideal, so users can distinguish it from standard calls.
You cannot yet initiate WhatsApp calls from your Wear OS 3 smartwatch
The latest update for WhatsApp beta only brings the ability to receive WhatsApp voice calls on your Wear OS 3 smartwatch. You cannot yet initiate WhatsApp calls from your wrist wearable. This may not be possible without an official WhatsApp app for Wear OS. But this implementation still makes things a lot more convenient. Currently, Wear OS smartwatches only notify you of an incoming WhatsApp call. You can’t answer it on your wrist. You must pull out your phone to speak on WhatsApp.
WhatsApp recently began beta testing support for voice calls on Wear OS smartwatches. If things go as per plan, we may see a public rollout of this feature in a few weeks. Make sure to keep the app updated to receive the feature as soon as it is available. You can click the button below to download the latest version of WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
2022-08-31 15:05:05