The WhatsApp app has been launched for select Garmin smartwatches, bringing messaging to your wrist. It is now available on the Garmin Connect IQ store. The app allows users to view the 10 most recent chats or group chats and see the most recent 10 messages per chat on a Garmin watch. The connection process is also quite seamless. You just have to scan a QR code on the watch screen using your phone camera.
The WhatsApp app is now available for select Garmin smartwatches
The Garmin WhatsApp app lets you send messages using a built-in keyboard, which will be tiny, much like how it’s on most wearables. You can see when messages arrive, and those posted in groups are properly labelled with each sender. But there’s no option to send voice notes at the moment. It remains to be seen whether it’ll be available with future updates.
You can, however, send emojis and also see emoji reactions to messages. Meta-owned WhatsApp will also alert you to incoming calls, with the option to decline them. The app is free to use, obviously, and does not rely on a Garmin Connect+ subscription.
The app will alert you to incoming calls
One downside is that most Garmin watches lack LTE, so you still need to remain tethered to your phone to use the app. That said, this is still convenient, as you can now reply to messages or simply view them directly from your wrist. Personal messages and calls on WhatsApp through the Garmin smartwatch app also get WhatsApp’s standard end-to-end encryption. This ensures that conversations are accessible only to the sender and recipient
The list of compatible Garmin smartwatches that get WhatsApp support includes the Garmin Fenix E, Fenix 8, Fenix 8 Pro, D2 Air X15, Enduro 3, Forerunner 570, Forerunner 970, Tactix 8, Venu 4, Venu X1, and Vivoactive 6.
