WhatsApp prepares new controls for linked devices and smarter chat storage management

WhatsApp

WhatsApp is quietly working on a set of changes aimed at giving users better visibility into linked accessories while also making it easier to manage chat clutter and storage. The updates follow the recent launch of a dedicated Apple Watch app and reflect Meta’s growing focus on transparency and account safety.

With WhatsApp now available as a full-featured app on the Apple Watch, Meta is adding new safeguards to ensure users are aware when their account is paired with an accessory. According to findings shared by WABetaInfo, a recent TestFlight build introduces a new “Peripherals” section inside WhatsApp’s Linked Devices menu.

The change appears in WhatsApp beta version 25.37.10.71 and adds a dedicated category for accessories such as the Apple Watch. The section displays the name of the connected device along with the date and time it was last active, mirroring how WhatsApp already handles linked Macs or web sessions.

The timing of this update is notable. The arrival of a standalone Apple Watch app creates new scenarios where an account could be paired without the primary user immediately noticing. In sensitive situations, such as abusive relationships, this lack of visibility could be misused. The new Peripherals section is clearly designed to reduce that risk by making linked accessories easier to spot.

There is, however, an important limitation. Unlike other linked devices, users cannot currently unlink an Apple Watch directly from the iPhone app. Instead, WhatsApp instructs users to remove the app from the Apple Watch itself in order to break the connection. This suggests Meta is still refining how accessory-level unlinking should work across platforms.

Alongside device transparency, WhatsApp is also testing a cleaner and more informative way to manage chat storage. A subsequent TestFlight build, version 25.37.10.72, introduces a redesigned interface for clearing chat content and media.

The new tool simplifies how users remove messages and attachments from individual chats. It clearly breaks down how much storage is being used by different types of content, helping users make informed decisions before deleting anything. From this interface, users can choose to delete all messages, remove everything except starred messages, or focus only on media files.

When opting to clear media, the feature allows users to selectively delete categories such as photos, videos, documents, stickers and audio files. There is also an option to wipe all media in one go, including starred items, for those who want a complete reset. The clearer breakdown of storage usage addresses a long-standing pain point for users trying to free up space without losing important messages.

Meta has not shared an official timeline for either feature. However, the chat storage tools closely resemble functionality already being tested in the Android beta, which suggests a broader rollout may not be far off. The peripherals transparency feature, meanwhile, reflects a more cautious approach as WhatsApp expands beyond phones into wearables.