WhatsApp releases Wear OS 3 app, supports apps without a connected phone

WhatsApp has released its Wear OS 3 app. Users of watches with that operating system, such as the Galaxy Watch 4 and 5 or Google Pixel Watch, can therefore use WhatsApp without a connected phone.

The app is can be downloaded from the Play Store. With the app, users can, among other things, start and read back conversations, record voice memos and answer calls. In addition, it is possible to use WhatsApp without a connected phone, provided the watch has its own internet connection via, for example, e-SIM or WiFi.

Google had already mentioned the arrival of the app at its I/O developer conference. There is no comparable app for competing platforms like Apple’s watchOS. It is unknown why WhatsApp decided to make this app for Wear OS and not for other platforms.