Using a popular app on your smartwatch is enjoyable, with no slowdowns, heat issues, or drain on battery and storage, But the most interesting thing is that you don’t need to carry your phone. If you like WhatsApp and have a smartwatch, & want to use them together?. Good news – you can! We’ll show you how to install WhatsApp on a smartwatch.
I will guide you to check if your watch can use WhatsApp. Then I will show you ways to install it, also give you tips, help fix problems, and talk about the good and bad things about using WhatsApp on your watch.
Verify Compatibility: Can You Use WhatsApp on A Smartwatch?
Well, I would suggest you check first WhatsApp compatibility with your specific smartwatch model and confirm if WhatsApp works on a smartwatch before taking steps to download or learn about it. Here are the following simple ways to check compatibility.
- First, you need to read the smartwatch manual. & search for the manufacturer’s website to check its software specifications
- Remember WhatsApp is compatible with Wear OS version 3.0 and upward.
- Open the app store on your smartwatch (e.g., Google Play Store for Wear OS, Apple App Store for watchOS). & you have to search for WhatsApp if it appears then your watch supports it.
- Go through the smartwatch every single setting & search for the WhatsApp icon.
- If you are still unable to confirm then check online forums or community boards related to your smartwatch.
How to Install WhatsApp on a Smartwatch
If I talk about the installation, then I have divided it into two categories: one is for wear OS smartwatches, and the second is for watch OS smartwatches. When it comes to wear OS watches, there are also two subcategories: one is official and the other is unofficial. So here are the following steps: just do it in a few minutes and enjoy WhatsApp.
How to use WhatsApp on a smartwatch without a SIM card
You can use WhatsApp on a smartwatch without a SIM card. The method for doing so depends on the specific smartwatch and its features. A smartwatch with built-in LTE typically needs a SIM card to operate independently from your phone, and it will behave like a normal smartphone. That is why there is no need to tell you about the installation. WhatsApp cannot be used directly on the smartwatch without a SIM card.
1. Install WhatsApp on Wear OS Smartwatches
a. Official Method
- Connect your smartwatch with your phone using the companion app.
- This is WhatsApp’s official link (https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.whatsapp). Visit the link, Sign up for the WhatsApp Beta program using Gmail, and click “Become a Tester”.
- On your smartphone’s Play Store, search for WhatsApp. Tap “Install on (your smartwatch model)” to start installation on your watch.
- After 50-70 seconds, click the notification button on your watch.
- Your smartwatch will display an 8-digit code and send a notification to your phone.
- Open the notification on your phone and click confirm.
- Enter the code displayed on your smartwatch into your phone.
- Your smartphone will automatically pair with your smartwatch.
- You can now send text or audio messages & can get WhatsApp notification on your smartwatch.
- The setup is complete.
b. Unofficial Method
You need to keep in mind that if the official method doesn’t work for you, then I will suggest you use this method; otherwise, you don’t need to use this first. But after completing this method, you need to activate WhatsApp as I have mentioned in the official method.
- First, you have to download the “WhatsApp APK file” on your smartphone from the suggested website “Apkmirror.com”.
- Install the “BUGJAEGAR APK” from the Google Play Store on your phone.
- You need to enable ADB over WiFi on your smartwatch which allows you to transfer any App from your smartphone to your smartwatch without needing a Computer. Just go to the settings > About section > Click on software info > Tap 8 times the Software version Number. It will enable the developer option on your watch.
- Go back to the settings & you can see the Developer Option is available now.
- Tap on the Developer Option & make sure your smartwatch & phone are connected to the same WiFi network.
- Scroll & click “ADB DEBUGGING” then enable it.
- Turn on “Debug Over WiFi”. You will then get the address something like this “[fe80::3024:caff:fee6:b46a]:5555 192.168.68.108:5555”. It will vary from model to model.
- Remember the last 4 digits are your code Number “5555”.
- Open the “BUGJAEGAR APK”
- Click the plus button.
- Enter the Address “192.168.68.108” & enter the 4 digits “5555” as well then hit the connect button.
- Your watch will connect in ADB mode
- Your smartwatch shows automatically some options. You need to click on “Always allow this computer”
- Go to the “Package” option on your “BUGJAEGAR APP” on your smartwatch.
- Click on the plus icon in the top right corner. It will show you pop up.
- Choose the first option “Select the APK file” then click the “Whatsapp APK file” that you have downloaded in the first step.
- Wait for a few sec. it will start downloading & installing WhatsApp on your smartwatch.
- Go to the smartwatch app drawer you will see the WhatsApp app.
- Continue the normal process as I have mentioned in the official method to activate your WhatsApp.
- Follow the above instructions to activate WhatsApp.
2. Install WhatsApp on Watch OS Smartwatches
You can easily install WhatsApp and use it independently without needing your phone, and you can reply to WhatsApp messages. But there is a condition: you must have the cellular version of your Apple Watch.
- First, you need to make sure your Apple Watch is paired with your iPhone with the help of a companion app.
- Go to the App Store on your iPhone then install the “Watch Chat 2” application. It will be automatically installed on your Apple Watch too.
- Open the “Apple Watch” app on your iPhone (Apple Watch must be paired with iPhone).
- You will see the list of Apps that are installed on your Apple Watch, then search for the “Watch Chat 2” app. If the app has been properly installed, it will appear in the list; otherwise, the app will appear at the bottom of the Apple Watch app, and you can install it from there easily.
- Open your Apple Watch and go to the app drawer.
- Click on the Watch Chat 2 App icon. You will see the QR code.
- Open WhatsApp on your iPhone then go to the settings.
- Go to the “Link devices” option.
- Tap on the “Link devices” button. The camera will be opened.
- Scan your Apple Watch QR code.
- And Boom! Your WhatsApp is successfully logged in on your Apple Watch.
Tips to Use WhatsApp on Your Smartwatch
- Free up space by deleting unnecessary apps, photos, or videos. Check the available storage in your phone’s settings.
- Ensure your device meets the minimum system requirements for WhatsApp. Update your operating system if needed.
- Switch to a stable Wi-Fi connection or ensure your mobile data connection is strong. Restart your router or phone if necessary.
- Clear the cache and data of the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Ensure your Google Play Services are updated. Try restarting your device.
- Set your device’s date and time to automatic. Go to Settings > Date & Time and enable automatic date and time settings.
- Ensure WhatsApp has the necessary permissions. Go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Permissions and enable required permissions.
- Ensure your device’s operating system is up to date. Check for software updates in your device’s settings.
- Uninstall any recently installed apps that might be conflicting with WhatsApp. Restart your device and try installing WhatsApp again.
- Disable battery saver mode temporarily as it might restrict app installations. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver.
- Restart your device. If the problem persists, consider performing a factory reset (after backing up your data).
The Advantages & and Disadvantages of Installing WhatsApp on a Smartwatch
1. Advantages
Installing WhatsApp on a smartwatch has several benefits. You can see chat images and videos on your wrist, ensuring you don’t miss important visual updates. You can also reply to messages and send voice notes while on the move, improving communication efficiency. This makes it easy to stay connected without taking out your phone.
2. Disadvantages
I don’t think there are potential disadvantages to installing WhatsApp on smartwatches, but I have noticed some. You have limited options of WhatsApp available on your smartwatch, you can’t see more than 5 chats on an Apple watch. If you want to see more than 5, you will need to use the Watch Chat 2 app premium version. And as you all know, the screen size is very small, which makes usage harder.
Conclusion
Installing WhatsApp on your smartwatch improves communication convenience, letting you stay connected without your phone. Despite limitations like screen size and restricted chat visibility on some models, the advantages of quick message and multimedia access on your wrist make it valuable. Enjoy uninterrupted connectivity!