Use Walkie-Talkie on your Apple Watch - Apple Support (2024)

Whether you’re out shopping or trying to find someone in a crowd, use the Walkie-Talkie app to get in touch with just a tap. Add friends, then manage when you want to talk.

Use Walkie-Talkie on your Apple Watch - Apple Support (1)

To use Walkie-Talkie, you and your friend both need Apple Watch Series 1 or later with watchOS 5.3 or later. You also both need to set up the FaceTime app on your iPhone with iOS 12.4 and be able to make and receive FaceTime audio calls. The Walkie-Talkie app isn't available in all countries or regions.

How to add friends to the Walkie-Talkie app

  1. Open the Walkie-Talkie app on your Apple Watch.

  2. Scroll through the list of contacts, then tap a name to send an invitation.

  3. Wait for your friend to accept the invitation. Their contact card stays gray and appears under Friends You Invited until your friend accepts. After they accept, their contact card turns yellow and you and your friend can talk instantly.

Use Walkie-Talkie on your Apple Watch - Apple Support (2)

To remove a friend, open the Walkie-Talkie app, swipe left on the friend, then tap the delete buttonUse Walkie-Talkie on your Apple Watch - Apple Support (3) . Or open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap Walkie-Talkie > Edit, tap the minus buttonUse Walkie-Talkie on your Apple Watch - Apple Support (4), then tap Remove.

Get help if you can't add a friend to Walkie-Talkie.

How to accept a Walkie-Talkie invitation

Tap Always Allow in the notification that appears when someone invites you. If you miss the notification the first time, look for it in Notification Center. Invitations also appear in the Walkie-Talkie app.

Use Walkie-Talkie on your Apple Watch - Apple Support (5)

How to start a Walkie-Talkie conversation

  1. Open the Walkie-Talkie app on your Apple Watch.

  2. Tap a friend.

  3. Touch and hold the talk button, then say something. If you see "connecting" on the screen, wait for Walkie-Talkie to connect. After Walkie-Talkie connects, your friend can hear your voice and talk with you instantly.

As long as your friend is wearing their Apple Watch and has Walkie-Talkie turned on, they receive alerts when you want to talk.

How to talk over Walkie-Talkie

  1. Touch and hold the talk button, then say something.

  2. When you're done, let go. Your friend instantly hears what you said.

To change the volume, turn the Digital Crown.

Turn Walkie-Talkie off or on

  1. Open the Walkie-Talkie app.

  2. Turn Walkie-Talkie off or on. If someone tries to reach you while you're unavailable, a notification appears asking if you'd like to talk.

Use Walkie-Talkie on your Apple Watch - Apple Support (6)

You can also turn Walkie-Talkie off or on by tapping the Walkie-Talkie buttonUse Walkie-Talkie on your Apple Watch - Apple Support (7) in Control Center.

If you turn on Silent Mode in Control Center, you can still hear chimes and your friend's voice. If you turn on Theater Mode, it automatically makes you unavailable to talk with Walkie-Talkie. Do Not Disturb mirrors your iPhone settings, so you can manage which Walkie-Talkie alerts appear, and when.

Get help

If your iPhone isn't nearby, you can use Walkie-Talkie with a cellular or Wi-Fi connection. Learn how to use your Apple Watch when your iPhone isn't nearby.

For more help, find your issue below.

If you don't see the Walkie-Talkie app

  1. FaceTime is required for Walkie-Talkie to work, so if you've deleted it, re-download FaceTime on your iPhone. Open the App Store on your iPhone, search for FaceTime, then tap the download buttonUse Walkie-Talkie on your Apple Watch - Apple Support (8).

  2. Make sure that FaceTime is turned on. Open the Settings app, tap FaceTime, then turn on FaceTime.

  3. Open the FaceTime app. To make sure FaceTime is set up correctly, try making a call.

  4. Restart your Apple Watch.

  5. Restart your iPhone.

If you have FaceTime on your iPhone and don't see the Walkie-Talkie app on your watch, you might have deleted it. Open the App Store on your Apple Watch and re-download it.

FaceTime is not available in all countries or regions.

If you're having issues sending and receiving invitations

  1. On your iPhone, open the Settings app, then tap FaceTime. Make sure that you're signed in with your Apple ID. Under You Can Be Reached By FaceTime At, make sure that your email address is selected.

  2. Restart your Apple Watch.

  3. Restart your iPhone.

  4. Try to send the invitation again. On your Apple Watch, open the Walkie-Talkie app, swipe left on the contact, then tap the delete buttonUse Walkie-Talkie on your Apple Watch - Apple Support (9). Tap the plus buttonUse Walkie-Talkie on your Apple Watch - Apple Support (10), then choose the same contact.

If you still need help

If you updated to watchOS 5.3 or later and tried the steps above, but still need help, contact Apple Support.

Published Date:

Use Walkie-Talkie on your Apple Watch - Apple Support (2024)

FAQs

Use Walkie-Talkie on your Apple Watch - Apple Support? ›

Open the Walkie-Talkie app on your Apple Watch. Tap your friend's name. Touch and hold the Talk button, then speak. If your friend has made themselves available, Walkie-Talkie opens on their Apple Watch and they'll hear what you said.

Does Walkie-Talkie still work on Apple Watch? ›

Open the Walkie-Talkie app on your Apple Watch. Tap your friend's name. Touch and hold the Talk button, then speak. If your friend has made themselves available, Walkie-Talkie opens on their Apple Watch and they'll hear what you said.

Why is my Walkie-Talkie not working on my Apple Watch? ›

First, make sure Walkie-Talkie is enabled, check your internet connection, and restart your watch. Next, make sure FaceTime is working on iPhone; Apple Watch Walkie-Talkie won't work without it. If Walkie-Talkie invitations aren't working or you can't find the Walkie-Talkie app, see the FAQ section.

How to accept a Walkie-Talkie invitation? ›

How to accept a Walkie-Talkie invitation. Tap Always Allow in the notification that appears when someone invites you. If you miss the notification first time round, look for it in Notification Centre. Invitations will also appear in the Walkie-Talkie app.

Why isn't my Walkie-Talkie invite working? ›

If you're having issues sending and receiving invitations

Restart your Apple Watch. Restart your iPhone. Try to send the invitation again. On your Apple Watch, open the Walkie-Talkie app, swipe left on the contact, then tap the delete button .

Did Apple disable Walkie-Talkie? ›

The Apple Watch's Walkie-Talkie app has been disabled. Apple deactivated the Walkie-Talkie app on its Apple Watch after being alerted to a vulnerability that potentially left iPhones open to eavesdroppers. The company confirmed the problem to TechCrunch and said it's working on a fix.

How far away can you be for Apple Watch Walkie-Talkie to work? ›

2) How far can you use Walkie-Talkie on Apple Watch? Under ideal circ*mstances, the maximum range is often in the region of 5–20 miles.

Can I use my iPhone as a Walkie-Talkie? ›

The iPhone Walkie Talkie feature is a versatile and convenient tool that allows you to communicate instantly with your contacts.

Why can't i download Walkie-Talkie on my Apple Watch? ›

Can't download walkie talkie
  • FaceTime is required for Walkie-Talkie to work, so if you've deleted it, re-download FaceTime on your iPhone. ...
  • Make sure that FaceTime is turned on. ...
  • Open the FaceTime app. ...
  • Restart your Apple Watch.
  • Restart your iPhone.
Oct 31, 2019

Why does my Apple Watch keep showing the Walkie-Talkie? ›

The Walkie-Talkie app is turned on. The Walkie-Talkie icon appears when you have the app turned on and you're available to receive messages. It appears at the top of the watch face when you wake your Apple Watch, and remains visible at the top of Control Center as long as Walkie-Talkie is turned on. appears.

How do I accept an invite on my Apple Watch? ›

Accept an invite

When someone invites you to share Activity, a notification appears on your iPhone or Apple Watch. Tap Accept or Decline. If you don't get a notification, you can accept from the Fitness app: Open the Fitness app on your iPhone, then tap the Sharing tab.

Do you need cellular for Walkie-Talkie Apple Watch? ›

Like using a real walkie-talkie, press a button to talk, and release to listen when you're ready for them to reply. Walkie-Talkie requires that both participants have connectivity—through a Bluetooth connection to the iPhone, Wi-Fi, or cellular. Note: Walkie-Talkie is not available in all regions.

How to use ultra 2 Walkie-Talkie? ›

11.11111111111111%
  1. Using the Walkie Talkie feature, you can chat with other Apple Watch users over speaker phone on your watch. ...
  2. Go to the Home screen. ...
  3. Swipe up. ...
  4. Scroll down. ...
  5. Scroll down. ...
  6. Wait for the contact to accept your invitation.
  7. Choose and hold TOUCH & HOLD TO TALK while speaking to the contact.

Does a Walkie-Talkie work without service? ›

Initial Setup: Most walkie-talkie apps require an initial internet connection for setup and pairing. Users should be mindful of this requirement before venturing into areas without internet access.

How far does a Walkie-Talkie work? ›

So what determines the actual usable range of Walkie Talkie?
TerrainGeometryActual Range
CityRooftop to Rooftop2-5 miles
Street to Street< 1 mile
OceanBoat to BoatDistance to horizon (4 to 6 miles)
ForestFlat Ground1-5 miles (depending on tree density)
3 more rows

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