WhatsApp is tightening account visibility on iPhone while making it easier for you to clean up chats. The latest iOS beta introduces two related changes. One focuses on showing when your account connects to an Apple Watch. The other gives you clearer control over chat storage and media.
Better visibility for Apple Watch connections
WhatsApp recently launched a proper Apple Watch app. With that step, Meta also started addressing a quieter problem. Your account can pair with an Apple Watch without obvious alerts. That gap creates risks, especially when someone else gains access to your devices.
A new beta update adds a “Peripherals” section under Linked Devices. This section lists the Apple Watch connected to your account. You can see the device name and when it last stayed active. The app also explains how to remove access, even though you still need to delete WhatsApp from the watch itself to fully unpair.
As WABetaInfo explains, this change aims to add transparency around accessories that stay connected in the background.
“WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that allows users to monitor connected peripherals to their account.”
The update follows reports that linked wearables can go unnoticed for long periods. Showing these connections directly inside the app gives you more awareness and control.
Clearer and safer chat cleanup tools
WhatsApp is also redesigning how you clear chats and free storage. A newer beta build introduces an advanced clearing screen. Instead of one alert, you now see a detailed breakdown before deleting anything.
You can remove all messages, keep starred messages, or delete only selected media. The app shows how much storage each option frees up. When you choose “Clear media files,” you can pick categories like photos, videos, documents, stickers, or audio.
WhatsApp also asks whether to include starred items, adding an extra layer of protection for saved messages. The interface mirrors recent Android tests but follows iOS design patterns.
Right now, these features appear only for some beta testers. There is no public release date. Still, the steady rollout suggests WhatsApp plans to ship both improvements widely once testing finishes.
