Khaberni - Meta, the owner of WhatsApp, is testing an important feature in a beta version of the WhatsApp Beta app for iOS, which displays linked devices, especially Apple Watches linked to the user's account, under a new section called "Connected Peripheral Devices" in Linked Devices settings.
The main goal of the feature is to improve visibility of devices connected to a WhatsApp account; giving users better ability to monitor devices that can access their conversations and data.
In the past, iPhone users could not know if there was an Apple Watch linked to their WhatsApp account; which raised concerns among some users about privacy and security, especially in cases of technology misuse or in relationships that may involve unauthorized surveillance or exploitation.
Connected Devices
According to available information, details about the connected Apple Watch will appear after entering the Linked Devices section in the WhatsApp app on iPhone, where the user can view the name of the connected watch, its connection status, last activity time, and the possibility of seeing other connected devices if available.
However, the current feature does not allow for the direct disconnection of the watch from within the app on iPhone, but requires the user to do so by deleting the WhatsApp app from the watch itself if they want to sever the link.
Additional Improvements
In addition to the connected devices feature, reports indicate that WhatsApp is working on new tools to help manage conversations and storage within the app on iPhone. These improvements include options to clean up conversations more precisely, such as deleting messages or media only without affecting the rest of the conversation.
These tools are currently being tested in beta versions and may reach users in future enhanced updates.
It is worth mentioning that in 2025, WhatsApp launched an official app for Apple Watches; allowing users to read messages and reply to them from their wrist without the need for a smartphone, with support for notifications and voice responses and other features.
This new feature for tracking connected devices complements these efforts by providing iPhone users with a clearer view of the devices that can access their accounts; enhancing trust and security in using WhatsApp across multiple platforms.
