{"id":12399,"date":"2026-03-17T10:16:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T17:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/17\/garmin-launches-whatsapp-integration-for-watches\/"},"modified":"2026-04-12T09:17:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T16:17:57","slug":"garmin-launches-whatsapp-integration-for-watches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/17\/garmin-launches-whatsapp-integration-for-watches\/","title":{"rendered":"Garmin Launches WhatsApp Integration for Watches"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"perfmatters-lazy-youtube\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/T6U3Dm2DmHw\" data-id=\"T6U3Dm2DmHw\" data-query=\"si=vpbH98CCq-8a28yI\" onclick=\"perfmattersLazyLoadYouTube(this);\">\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><\/p>\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"T6U3Dm2DmHw\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"New Garmin Watch WhatsApp Integration Update!\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/T6U3Dm2DmHw?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">&#8230;<\/span><\/iframe><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Garmin today announced a new WhatsApp integration that lets you write and reply to WhatsApp messages\/threads directly on the watch. Integration is done through the new Connect IQ app, which can be loaded onto the latest Garmin watches.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;ve had a chance to give it a whirl, so I thought I&#8217;d explain what works (and what doesn&#8217;t). With that, let&#8217;s dive into it.<\/p>\n<h3 data-test=\"1\/3\" id=\"download-and-setup\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Download and install:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>First: checking if your watch is listed. In short, if your watch was released in 2025 or 2026, you&#8217;re good. But unless it was the Fenix \u200b\u200b8 in 2024, you might be out of luck. Here&#8217;s a list to start with (which I don&#8217;t expect to extend to older devices):<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>D2 Air X15<br \/>Enduro 3<br \/>Fenix \u200b\u200b8 Series<br \/>Fenix \u200b\u200b8 Pro Series<br \/>Fenix \u200b\u200bE<br \/>Preceding 570<br \/>Preceding 970<br \/>Tactix 8 Series<br \/>Venu 4 Series<br \/>Episode X1<br \/>Vivoactive 6<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Once you get through that gate, the installation process is very quick. On your phone, navigate to the Connect IQ app, and you&#8217;ll see WhatsApp at the top of the list. Or, you can use this link. Within that, it will install it on your watch. It&#8217;s placed in the same place as other full apps\/gaming apps (like Garmin Share), rather than a widget\/lookup.<\/p>\n<p><img data-perfmatters-preload=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167555\" title=\"IMG_1063.PNG\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1063.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"235\" height=\"511\" border=\"0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1063.png 470w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1063-200x435.png 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 235px) 100vw, 235px\"\/> <img data-perfmatters-preload=\"\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167556\" title=\"IMG_1062.PNG\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1062.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"235\" height=\"511\" border=\"0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1062.png 470w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1062-200x435.png 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 235px) 100vw, 235px\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Once installed, you will open it. Also, it&#8217;s located in the same place as you go to start a sports career, but scroll down:<\/p>\n<p><img data-perfmatters-preload=\"\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167558\" title=\"IMG_4941.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4941-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"355\" height=\"237\" border=\"0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4941-1.jpg 710w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4941-1-200x134.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4941-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 355px) 100vw, 355px\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167559 perfmatters-lazy\" title=\"IMG_4942.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"355\" height=\"237\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4942.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4942.jpg 710w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4942-200x134.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4942-300x200.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 355px) 100vw, 355px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167559\" title=\"IMG_4942.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4942.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"355\" height=\"237\" border=\"0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4942.jpg 710w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4942-200x134.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4942-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 355px) 100vw, 355px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>From there, it will ask you to connect it using a QR code. It&#8217;s interesting that you&#8217;ll do this twice, it seems like you&#8217;re double verifying who you are:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167561 perfmatters-lazy\" title=\"IMG_1064.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"719\" height=\"479\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1064.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1064.jpg 1438w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1064-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1064-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1064-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1064-300x200.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 719px) 100vw, 719px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167561\" title=\"IMG_1064.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1064.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"719\" height=\"479\" border=\"0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1064.jpg 1438w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1064-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1064-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1064-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1064-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 719px) 100vw, 719px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Once that&#8217;s done, you&#8217;ll be signed in, and you&#8217;ll see it as a connected device within the WhatsApp app on your phone.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167560 perfmatters-lazy\" title=\"IMG_1067.PNG\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"480\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1067.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1067.png 442w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1067-200x434.png 200w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 221px) 100vw, 221px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167560\" title=\"IMG_1067.PNG\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1067.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"221\" height=\"480\" border=\"0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1067.png 442w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_1067-200x434.png 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 221px) 100vw, 221px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>With that, we can start using it.<\/p>\n<p><!-- BEGIN THM NATIVE CODE --><\/p>\n<p><!-- END THM NATIVE CODE -->      <\/p>\n<h3 data-test=\"2\/3\" id=\"using-whatsapp\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Using WhatsApp:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Once open, you&#8217;ll see the 10 most recent chat contacts, and within that, each other&#8217;s 10 most recent messages.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167562 perfmatters-lazy\" title=\"IMG_4960.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4960.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4960-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4960-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4960-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4960-300x200.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167562\" title=\"IMG_4960.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4960.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" border=\"0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4960-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4960-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4960-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4960-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>You can open a chat to read text messages, and reply\/write a new message.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167563 perfmatters-lazy\" title=\"IMG_4943.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4943.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4943.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4943-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4943-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4943-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4943-300x200.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167563\" title=\"IMG_4943.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4943.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" border=\"0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4943.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4943-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4943-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4943-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4943-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>When you do that, you&#8217;ll see the option to type a message using the small keyboard, or, choose from a list of six quick replies.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167564 perfmatters-lazy\" title=\"IMG_4944.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"235\" height=\"157\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4944.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4944.jpg 470w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4944-200x134.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4944-300x200.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 235px) 100vw, 235px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167564\" title=\"IMG_4944.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4944.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"235\" height=\"157\" border=\"0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4944.jpg 470w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4944-200x134.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4944-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 235px) 100vw, 235px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167565 perfmatters-lazy\" title=\"IMG_4945.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"235\" height=\"157\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4945.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4945.jpg 470w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4945-200x134.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4945-300x200.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 235px) 100vw, 235px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167565\" title=\"IMG_4945.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4945.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"235\" height=\"157\" border=\"0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4945.jpg 470w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4945-200x134.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4945-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 235px) 100vw, 235px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167566 perfmatters-lazy\" title=\"IMG_4946.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"235\" height=\"157\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4946.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4946.jpg 470w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4946-200x134.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4946-300x200.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 235px) 100vw, 235px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167566\" title=\"IMG_4946.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4946.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"235\" height=\"157\" border=\"0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4946.jpg 470w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4946-200x134.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4946-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 235px) 100vw, 235px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, when new messages come in, they will appear first as a WhatsApp message, just like before. Besides, there is now an option to turn it on:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167569 perfmatters-lazy\" title=\"IMG_4949.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"235\" height=\"157\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4949-1.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4949-1.jpg 470w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4949-1-200x134.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4949-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 235px) 100vw, 235px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167569\" title=\"IMG_4949.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4949-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"235\" height=\"157\" border=\"0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4949-1.jpg 470w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4949-1-200x134.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4949-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 235px) 100vw, 235px\"\/> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167568 perfmatters-lazy\" title=\"IMG_4950.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"235\" height=\"157\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4950.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4950.jpg 470w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4950-200x134.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4950-300x200.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 235px) 100vw, 235px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167568\" title=\"IMG_4950.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4950.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"235\" height=\"157\" border=\"0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4950.jpg 470w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4950-200x134.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4950-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 235px) 100vw, 235px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>If you select Open, it will open the message inside the WhatsApp app on your watch, where you can see the full message and reply accordingly. This works well, although it&#8217;s a two-step process that takes a while.<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to the content of the message, it seems that only text is entered. All other images are &#8216;not supported&#8217;, including images from my phone, stickers, GIFs, and images taken from the camera within the WhatsApp app (I&#8217;ve tried, in case it&#8217;s different):<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167570 perfmatters-lazy\" title=\"IMG_4966.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4966.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4966.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4966-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4966-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4966-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4966-300x200.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167570\" title=\"IMG_4966.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4966.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" border=\"0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4966.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4966-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4966-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4966-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4966-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>To me, this is like a huge disappointment. Given that Garmin watch users on iOS can&#8217;t see standard text\/iMessage images (due to current Apple restrictions), this would bypass that. After all, Android users can do that without a problem on Garmin watches (including answering). But here, the lack of pictures is a big gap, in my opinion. Or, maybe I like pictures.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, another gap is that this does not work over LTE in Garmin&#8217;s Fenix \u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b8 Pro series of watches, which have a built-in cellular connection. All of this *requires* your phone to be connected to your watch and nearby; otherwise, it just hangs\/circles. However, this can be useful for responding to quick texts in the shower (eg, yes\/no), which is often the only time I respond to something on my watch (especially my Apple Watch). Otherwise, I&#8217;ll do it automatically on my phone.<\/p>\n<h3 data-test=\"3\/3\" id=\"wrap-up\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Finish:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167571 perfmatters-lazy\" title=\"IMG_4968.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4968.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4968.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4968-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4968-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4968-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4968-300x200.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-167571\" title=\"IMG_4968.jpg\" src=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4968.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" border=\"0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4968.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4968-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4968-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4968-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.dcrainmaker.com\/images\/2026\/03\/IMG_4968-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Having some level of WhatsApp integration with Garmin has long been requested, and now it&#8217;s here. I suspect that the usefulness of this will depend somewhat on how much you use WhatsApp (compared to traditional messaging apps, especially on iOS), and how you use WhatsApp. If you&#8217;re used to having series with lots of images, you might not find this important. Although if you want quick text responses, this can be useful if your phone is a little out of reach (like in the backpack while hiking, or when you shower, maybe at the swimming pool at the end of the trail, etc&#8230;).<\/p>\n<p>I hope\/hope that this is just the first step in this integration, and that other restrictions will be lifted. I would like to see this work with Garmin&#8217;s LTE connection, as having apps that work beyond that would undoubtedly be the company&#8217;s future. After all, that&#8217;s what consumers expect.<\/p>\n<p>Still, it&#8217;s good to see a move to these kinds of integrations that favor more features on the smartwatch side, just as it&#8217;s good to see some new features that favor sports integration.<\/p>\n<p>With that, thanks for reading!<\/p>\n<h3 data-test=\"4\/3\" id=\"found-this-post-useful-support-the-site\">DID YOU FIND THIS POST HELPFUL? SUPPORT THE PLACE!<\/h3>\n<p>Hopefully, you found this post helpful. The website is truly a labor of love, so please consider becoming a DC RAINMAKER Supporter. This is for an ad-free experience, and access to (mostly) our bi-monthly &#8220;Shed Talkin'&#8221; behind-the-scenes video series.<\/p>\n<p>Support DCRainMaker &#8211; Buy on Amazon<\/p>\n<p>If not, maybe consider using the link below when shopping on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on eligible purchases. It doesn&#8217;t cost you anything extra, but your purchase helps support this website greatly. It could just be buying toilet paper, or that pizza oven we use and love.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8230; Garmin today announced a new WhatsApp integration that lets you write and reply to WhatsApp messages\/threads directly on the watch. Integration is done through the new Connect IQ app, which can be loaded onto the latest Garmin watches. I&#8217;ve had a chance to give it a whirl, so I thought I&#8217;d explain what works [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12400,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-12399","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-wearables"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12399","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12399"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12399\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12400"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12399"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12399"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12399"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}