Finally! The massive Garmin update we’ve all been waiting for is here, but there’s a catch

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You can now reply to WhatsApp messages from your wrist

a photo of the WhatsApp app on Garmin Forerunner 970
(Image credit: Future)

Big news, Garmin wearers, you can now read and reply to WhatsApp messages from your wrist, with Garmin’s new free WhatsApp app. You can download the app now, but there’s a slight catch — it’s only compatible with most of Garmin’s newest watches so if you’re on an older device, you’ll still have to fish your phone out of your pocket to reply to your messages on the move.

The new app allows you to stay connected from your watch. You can view recent messages from your watch screen, read and reply to messages using the built-in keyboard, send emojis and reactions, and see up to 10 messages from your chat history on your watch screen. According to user feedback, you can’t see images, but this is similar to the Apple Watch WhatsApp app.

You’ll need to download and install the app from the Garmin Connect IQ app on your connected mobile device, and ensure you’ve updated the WhatsApp and Connect apps on your phone. Your phone should ask you to enable Bluetooth and allow WhatsApp to access it.

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Other devices, including the popular Garmin Epix Pro, seem to have been missed from the list.

the Garmin Venu 4 in lunar gold on the wrist

(Image credit: Future)

You can set on-device alerts and notifications, ensuring you stay connected on the move, and choose whether you’d rather see these in the foreground or background during an activity.

This little app is a huge step forward when it comes to positioning Garmin as a smartwatch, not just a sports watch. Some users are bound to be disappointed that it’s not available on older devices.

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Jane McGuire
Jane McGuire
Fitness editor

Jane McGuire is Tom's Guide's Fitness editor, which means she looks after everything fitness related - from running gear to yoga mats. An avid runner, Jane has tested and reviewed fitness products for the past five years, so knows what to look for when finding a good running watch or a pair of shorts with pockets big enough for your smartphone. When she's not pounding the pavements, you'll find Jane striding round the Surrey Hills, taking far too many photos of her puppy. 

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