Meta, owner of WhatsApp, says that its new Apple Watch version of the messaging app will allow users to 'stay on top of chats without pulling out your iPhone'. EPA
Meta, owner of WhatsApp, says that its new Apple Watch version of the messaging app will allow users to 'stay on top of chats without pulling out your iPhone'. EPA
Meta, owner of WhatsApp, says that its new Apple Watch version of the messaging app will allow users to 'stay on top of chats without pulling out your iPhone'. EPA
Meta, owner of WhatsApp, says that its new Apple Watch version of the messaging app will allow users to 'stay on top of chats without pulling out your iPhone'. EPA

Meta releases WhatsApp app for Apple Watch


Cody Combs
  • English
  • Arabic

A fully functional version of Meta's WhatsApp messaging platform is now available on the Apple Watch.

Meta on Tuesday said the Apple Watch version of the app will include the ability to compose messages, record and send voice messages, and receive call notifications in countries where the calling feature is enabled.

The app was available in the US App Store and appeared to be rolling out worldwide. Users need to update WhatsApp on their phone before the functionality becomes active. This reporter found the new app functioned after a restart of both the phone and the watch.

“As always, your personal messages and calls remain private with end-to-end encryption,” Meta said, adding that the WhatsApp Apple Watch app was available for any Apple Watch Series 4 or later running watchOS 10 or later.

Purchased by Meta in 2014, WhatsApp has become one of the world's most popular messaging platforms.
Purchased by Meta in 2014, WhatsApp has become one of the world's most popular messaging platforms.

Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, acquired WhatsApp in 2014 for just under $20 billion.

Various estimates show that WhatsApp has since grown to become one of the world's most popular messaging apps with at least 35 million users.

Meta's decision to release an Apple Watch version of WhatsApp comes after the tech company briefly offered an Instagram app for Apple Watch, but later discontinued support for it.

A sign displayed in Washington district court shows several closely watched trials under way that could impact millions of users. Cody Combs / The National
A sign displayed in Washington district court shows several closely watched trials under way that could impact millions of users. Cody Combs / The National

The new app comes at a peculiar time for Meta, however, with the company and its chief executive Mark Zuckerberg awaiting a federal court decision amid accusations that it has stifled competition and created a monopoly.

Though unlikely, a worst-case scenario could see the US government require it to spin off apps such as Instagram or WhatsApp.

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

The%20specs
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The five pillars of Islam
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
 
  • Grade 9 = above an A*
  • Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
  • Grade 7 = grade A
  • Grade 6 = just above a grade B
  • Grade 5 = between grades B and C
  • Grade 4 = grade C
  • Grade 3 = between grades D and E
  • Grade 2 = between grades E and F
  • Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
ESSENTIALS

The flights 
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes. 
Where to stay 
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.

HAJJAN
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Abu%20Bakr%20Shawky%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3EStarring%3A%20Omar%20Alatawi%2C%20Tulin%20Essam%2C%20Ibrahim%20Al-Hasawi%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder

Power: 220 and 280 horsepower

Torque: 350 and 360Nm

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT 

On sale: now

Racecard:
2.30pm: Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoun Emirates Breeders Society Challenge; Conditions (PA); Dh40,000; 1,600m
3pm: Handicap; Dh80,000; 1,800m
3.30pm: Jebel Ali Mile Prep Rated Conditions; Dh110,000; 1,600m
4pm: Handicap; Dh95,000; 1,950m
4.30pm: Maiden; Dh65,000; 1,400m
5pm: Handicap; Dh85,000; 1,200m

MATCH INFO

Euro 2020 qualifier

Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')

Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)

Turkish Ladies

Various artists, Sony Music Turkey 

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

Updated: November 05, 2025, 12:17 PM