A major loss for Apple Watch users is an official WhatsApp app. Fortunately, there is a good alternative: WatchChat 2.
WatchChat 2 review: a good alternative for lack of better
WatchChat 2 is a good alternative for Apple Watch users who still like to app from their wrist. It is the app you should really expect from WhatsApp itself. WhatsApp can send you notifications of messages, but the response is very limited: you cannot type your own message, but only respond with short standard replies.
It is possible to respond with a voice message, but there are plenty of situations where it is not useful to say your WhatsApp messages out loud. WhatChat 2 basically works the same as WhatsApp Web. After downloading the app, you have to link your WhatsApp account from your iPhone with your Watch once. That works like this:
- Download and open WatchChat 2 (3.49 euros);
- Scan the QR code on your watch from the WhatsApp app on your iPhone;
Just like you normally connect WhatsApp Web;
- The WatchChat 2 apps on your Watch and iPhone are now connected.
Then you can scroll through your list of WhatsApp conversations. In the chats where you have unread messages, a green ball with a number appears. Do you want to send a message? You can also do that from your wrist. Tap the desired conversation and tap the keyboard to type.
The keyboard is reminiscent of that of old mobile phones: each button has three letters. It is also possible to send emoji. On the keyboard, scroll down and tap the desired emoji.
Is this not among them? Then long-press one emoji and press the plus sign to choose another one from the selection. Don’t like the keyboard? You can also send voice messages. To do this, tap the microphone button and record your message. Then press the green send button.
WatchChat 2 has minor flaws
There are some drawbacks to the app. Because the app is linked to your WhatsApp app on your iPhone, it can sometimes take a while before you see new messages. It takes a maximum of three seconds, which is not long, but that is longer than you are used to from WhatsApp.
It is also important that your iPhone has an internet connection, otherwise the app will not be able to refresh. In addition, it is not possible to simultaneously use WhatsApp Web elsewhere, such as on your MacBook. Finally, the app is a bit on the expensive side. You pay 3.49 euros for an app that basically does the same as the free WhatsApp Web, but on the Watch.
App is a godsend if you like to send apps from your Watch
Despite the fact that there are some negative user reviews in the App Store about linking the app, these problems seem to have been solved and the app works fine. Apart from some minor drawbacks, the app offers the solution if you still like to send apps from your Apple Watch. Photos you receive can also be viewed from your wrist. Only gifs will show on your watch as “[media]’.
The app doesn’t work perfectly, but WatchChat 2 does what it’s supposed to do and works as it should. It is especially useful that you do not have to take your iPhone out of your pocket to answer every WhatsApp notification on your Watch. In the absence of an official WhatsApp app, WatchChat 2 is an excellent alternative.