'More people can keep their private conversations going right from their wrist' as Garmin works with Meta to add WhatsApp integration to 'select' watches

Date:
Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:34:59 +0000

Description:
Garmin continues to move from training tool to 'proper' smartwatch with a new WhatsApp integration.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get the TechRadar Newsletter Sign up for
breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are
now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter Garmin and Meta have revealed a WhatsApp integration for 'select' Garmin watches The app, available on the Garmin Connect IQ store, allows users to
see up to 10 messages, incoming calls, reply with a built-in keyboard, and react to incoming messages Previously, users could see but not interact with messages via Garmin's notifications functionality Garmin and Meta have launched a WhatsApp app for 'select' Garmin watches, available on the Garmin Connect IQ store. The app allows users to see a history of up to 10 messages per chat on a Garmin watch, react to incoming messages, and reply using a built-in keyboard. Those keyboards are tiny, but presumably, we might also be able to use the voice assistant functionality on some of the best Garmin watches to respond via the keyboard too, just like a smartphone but neither Garmin nor Meta has confirmed this is the case just yet. The app also allows you to see incoming calls with the option to decline them. Article continues below You may like Huge Garmin update alert! Garmin Fitness Coach arrives in-app and on-watch How to get 49 Pokmon watch faces on your Garmin watch for free 3 new features I want to see from Garmin in 2026

Nikhil Joshi, Director of Product Management at Meta, said in a press release that "WhatsApp helps people stay connected no matter what platform they use. Were proud to bring WhatsApp to Garmin smartwatches, so that more people can keep their private conversations going right from their wrist. (Image credit: Garmin) This collaboration isn't particularly surprising: Garmin has slowly been moving away from its roots as a company that makes GPS-first specialist training tools and more towards lifestyle smartwatches, to compete with the likes of the best Apple Watch models.

People want brighter, less efficient AMOLED screens rather than duller MIP ones, watches which allow you to take calls like the Garmin Forerunner 970 , and the ability to message people back from their wrists.

However, one potential sticking point is the lack of LTE on most Garmin watches, forcing you to remain tethered to your phone to use the app. While it's still convenient you're able to reply to messages without reaching into your pocket or bag Garmin watches don't act like a phone-in-miniature in the same way LTE-enabled models from Apple and Samsung do. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

If you're looking to download the new integration, here's the list of compatible Garmin smartwatches, according to the Connect IQ store: Garmin D2 Air X15 Garmin Enduro 3 Garmin fnix 8 Pro Garmin fnix 8 Garmin fnix E Garmin Forerunner 570 Garmin Forerunner 970 Garmin tactix 8 Garmin Venu 4 Garmin
Venu X1 Garmin vvoactive 6 The list isn't terribly long: no Instinct series, older Forerunners, or any of the best golf watches, such as the Garmin Approach S70 .

Garmin continues its recent mission to drive more people to its frankly underused Connect IQ store, with this new WhatsApp integration following on from last week's collaboration with the Pokmon Sleep app. Here's what
happened when I tried one of the new Pokmon watch faces for a couple of days
, and how it ended up fixing my sleep via emotional blackmail. The best
Garmin watches for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best Garmin watches 1. Best overall: Garmin Venu
4 2. Best premium: Garmin Fenix 8 3. Best budget: Garmin Vivoactive 6 Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/smartwatches/more-people-can-keep-the ir-private-conversations-going-right-from-their-wrist-as-garmin-works-with-met a-to-add-whatsapp-integration-to-select-watches


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