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If you own an Apple Watch, you can now communicate with friends and family using an audio chat app called Walkie-Talkie. This feature was introduced with the watchOS 5 update and is still available in watchOS 6. Here’s how you can use Walkie-Talkie to talk in real-time to your loved ones.
What is Walkie-Talkie?
Walkie-Talkie is an Apple Watch app that lets you talk to another person in real-time through your watch. It replicates the experience of using an old-fashioned walkie-talkie.
How to Set Up Walkie-Talkie
When you launch the Walkie-Talkie app, you will see a list of people you can talk to. You can add new contacts by tapping the plus sign at the bottom of the list. Walkie-Talkie will introduce you to people from your wider contact list. Select a person and they will appear as a new yellow icon in the list.
You can add multiple contacts to the Walkie-Talkie list by tapping the plus sign every time you want to add someone new.
How to Start a Walkie-Talkie Conversation
To start a conversation, open the app and tap one of the yellow contact icons in the main display. If the slider at the top labeled “Available” is green, you can see who is available to talk to. The first time you contact someone through Walkie-Talkie, they have to give permission to continue with the conversation. However, it is a one-time deal: once they tap the “Always Allow” button, your devices will regard each other as trusted and conversations can start unilaterally by both parties. The recipient will receive a haptic buzz and the conversation will begin.
How to Use Walkie-Talkie
The Walkie-Talkie app has an incredibly simple interface: only a large yellow circle with the TALK label. Hold the button down and you can talk; release the button and you will listen. There is also a mute button on the top right that you can tap to switch off the audio.
Common Issues and How to Fix Them
Although Walkie-Talkie is easy to use, there are some issues you may encounter. If you experience problems with Walkie-Talkie, updating to the latest iOS on your iPhone and watchOS on the watch itself may solve these issues.
The recipient of your chat must also own an Apple Watch, which can lead to a difficult process of trial and error as you try to invite people to use the app. Additionally, if the recipient’s watch is not charged or turned on, you won’t be able to talk to them.
Conclusion
We hope this Walkie-Talkie tutorial has been helpful for you. For more general advice on using an Apple Watch, consult our guide. If this new feature has convinced you to buy an Apple Watch, you can buy one directly from Apple or check out our review of the best deals.
FAQs
1. Can I use Walkie-Talkie on my iPhone?
No, Walkie-Talkie is only available on the Apple Watch.
2. How far can Walkie-Talkie work?
The range of Walkie-Talkie depends on your Apple Watch’s and the recipient’s Wi-Fi or cellular connection. It can work within a few meters or even across long distances if both devices have a stable internet connection.