How do I restore the walkie talkie feature on Apple Watch after updating to watchOS 27?

I used it with my friends

imobl wrote:

Citations for your 'legal' advice?

There is none. The OS is Apple's and they don't charge for it and we are just a licensed user. You own the device and that can be returned within 14 days for a full refund. Any exceptions by Apple would only be made on a case by case basis. There is no law that is forcing Apple to refund watches due to the elimination of the Walkie Talkie app.

OS features change constantly and they always have. There also has never been a roll back option unless you are using Mac OS to return to a previous version. You don't pay when the features are added and you are not compensated when they are removed.

natterwee wrote:

Super bummed about this as well as we used it regularly with our kids. I provided feedback to apple. Not sure it’ll make a difference but worth a shot.

Feedback Assistant - Apple Developer

I'm not sure the developer feedback link is the correct one for this type of thing. I suggest using this one:

Product Feedback - Apple

Indeed Walkie-Talkie has been removed under watchOS 27.

Srom3 wrote:

I might move to a different brand that offers similar feature.

Do whatever is in your best interest.

Srom3 wrote:

Yea they know how it was still just so simple for them with the walkie talkie and they love it.

I actually don't know anyone who used the walkie talkie app, although it does sound useful. Maybe it was discontinued because of lack of use (Apple has its ways to track how often these features are actually used).

In the spirit of helping you move forward, I will offer that I know (and see) many using hands free texting with their watches and iPhones (myself included). For instance, "Siri, text xxx" where xxx is the name of the person. I find this very fast and useful and I think my daughter and son-in-law use that method to send messages more often than any other way to do so.

"Siri, text xxx"

"What do you wish to say?"

"Leaving now."

"Send it?"

"Yes"

"Sent"

You can also have extended hands free conversations this way.

TMCBKLYN wrote:

Apple has discontinued the product. Legally, since it's no longer the product that you purchased, you are entitled to a full refund of the product, even beyond the 14-day period.

Nonesense. You never purchased watchOS, only licensed it. And you agreed to the terms.

https://www.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/watchOS27.pdf

Quote:

 Apple, at its discretion, may make available future watchOS Software Changes for your Apple

Watch. The watchOS Software Changes, if any, may not necessarily include all existing software

features or new features that Apple releases for newer or other models of Apple Watch. The terms of this

License will govern any watchOS Software Changes provided by Apple that replace and/or supplement

the Original watchOS Software product, unless such watchOS Software Change is accompanied by aseparate license, in which case you agree that the terms of that license will govern. (Bold mine)

Apple also gave no warning that updating to os27 would remove the Walkie-Talkie feature (negligence) and has not provided an alternative for the Walkie-Talkie feature.

Yes, there are alternatives. You can still make Facetime calls which can be initiated by voice. You can send a text or audio message, also initiated by voice. I get that you don't like them but that doesn't change the fact that they exist.

You can offer Apple feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple

But odds are this, like a few others, was a seldom used feature that is unlikely to resurrected

best you can do is to go looking for third party apps in the watch app store which would provide the same service for you

I ended up reporting it in both areas. Feedback Assistant was the only place that allowed me to specifically select “walkie-talkie”. Product feedback seemed to be more generic. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Srom3 wrote:

I just felt like complaining. And I want apple to see my complaint. I’m really upset about it I use it daily with my kids. If is easier for them to navigate to the walkie talkie vs to call.

Apple will not see your complaint here. You were given the feedback link. That is where Apple will read it. Inflicting your complaints on other people doesn't seem especially useful.

Teach your kids to say, "Siri, call Mom."

"More work?" Walkie Talkie takes your second hand and you have to push a button. Hands free Siri just requires you to speak. I don't know anyone who used the Walkie Talkie feature, which may be why it was removed; all the younger people I know always go with the hands free option and communicate (and many other things) hands free by just speaking to their watch. It's also safer when one is driving or on a bicycle.

natterwee wrote:

I ended up reporting it in both areas. Feedback Assistant was the only place that allowed me to specifically select “walkie-talkie”. Product feedback seemed to be more generic. 🤷🏻‍♀️

For something that's a part of (or used to be!) a part of the operating system, the basic device feedback is fine. But doing both certainly won't hurt!

Apple has discontinued the product. Legally, since it's no longer the product that you purchased, you are entitled to a full refund of the product, even beyond the 14-day period. This is a major feature, and a safety and security feature that families use for guaranteed connections. This was also the selling point for purchasing the Apple Watch, therefore, all that my husband has now is a second iPhone while no longer being able to contact me via Walkie-Talkie.

Apple also gave no warning that updating to os27 would remove the Walkie-Talkie feature (negligence) and has not provided an alternative for the Walkie-Talkie feature.

TMCBKLYN wrote:

Apple has discontinued the product. Legally, since it's no longer the product that you purchased, you are entitled to a full refund of the product, even beyond the 14-day period. This is a major feature, and a safety and security feature that families use for guaranteed connections. This was also the selling point for purchasing the Apple Watch, therefore, all that my husband has now is a second iPhone while no longer being able to contact me via Walkie-Talkie.

Apple also gave no warning that updating to os27 would remove the Walkie-Talkie feature (negligence) and has not provided an alternative for the Walkie-Talkie feature.

False