Apple Watch Gaining New 'Walkie-Talkie' App in watchOS 5 so You Can Quickly Talk to Friends - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Watch Gaining New 'Walkie-Talkie' App in watchOS 5 so You Can Quickly Talk to Friends

by

Apple showed off a major new app coming to watchOS 5 later this year, called "Walkie-Talkie." Using the app, Apple Watch wearers will be able to send quick voice messages to friends and family members by speaking into their Apple Watch, similar to real Walkie-Talkies.

f1528136000
To start using the feature, users will have to allow a connection to one another in the app. After, it will show a scrolling list of connected friends, which you can tap, speak your message, and send to their Apple Watch. Apple said the main purpose of Walkie-Talkie is to act as a middle point between sending a text message and calling someone on Apple Watch.

Additionally, a watch-to-watch connection will work over cellular and Wi-Fi.

Tag: WWDC 2018

Top Rated Comments

newyorksole Avatar
newyorksole
108 months ago
This is awesome. Love that they used Nextel Yellow ;)
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
twocents Avatar
twocents
108 months ago
Only took 4 years. Seems like the new norm for Apple

Attachment Image
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T
txpilot82
108 months ago
This feature was promised back in 2014.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kaibelf Avatar
Kaibelf
108 months ago
So basically, insta-voice mail without the call. Cuz this ain't like no walkie talkie I ever used.
Did your old walkie talkie fit on your wrist and also track your day and physical activity?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sirious Avatar
Sirious
108 months ago
They announced this as part of watchOS 1 way back when.

"...Still another likes the walkie-talkie ability." ('https://youtu.be/bdyVH5LqneU?t=2572') (click to see video)
- Tim Cook
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mazz0 Avatar
mazz0
108 months ago
Kinda cool gimmick, but you’re very, very rarely going to want to leave that enabled.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments

Popular Stories

iOS 27 Next to iPhone

Here's When iOS 27 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone [Update: It's Out]

Sunday September 13, 2026 3:00 am PDT by
Update 10:04 a.m.: iOS 27 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking! Apple is about to release iOS 27, which will finally deliver more advanced Siri AI capabilities as well as a variety of other refinements, improvements, and new features to iPhones. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at Wednesday's iPhone event...
Read Full Article • 151 comments
iOS 27 Icon iPhone

iOS 27 Available Now With These 8 New Features

Monday September 14, 2026 9:00 am PDT by
Update — 10 a.m. Pacific Time: Apple has released iOS 27. During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Settings app, under General → Software Update. Below, we have highlighted eight new features and...
Read Full Article • 111 comments
Apple iCloud Plus expansion hero

iCloud+ Now Includes Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and Curated Apple Music Stations in Over 100 Countries

Tuesday September 15, 2026 1:43 am PDT by
Apple today announced a new subscription initiative that turns paid iCloud+ subscriptions into a broader services bundle in more than 100 countries. In select countries, Apple says every paid iCloud+ plan, including the cheapest 50GB tier, now includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade "at no additional cost," while family sharing extends the storage, TV and Arcade access to up to five people....
Read Full Article • 105 comments