Walkie-Talkie app removed from Apple Watch after software update

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Level 1

18 points

Walkie-Talkie app removed from Apple Watch after software update

Apple has discontinued the Walkie-Talkie app without warning or notification. Legally, since it's no longer the product that we purchased in July 2026, we 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. The Walkie-Talkie app was also the selling point for purchasing the Apple Watch directly at the store, therefore, all that my husband has now is a second iPhone while no longer being able to contact me via Walkie-Talkie, as I have not run the software update after discovering the app was removed.

My husband also forwarded his iPhone's calls to his Apple Watch when he was out on basic errands, and used the Walkie-Talkie exclusively with family. It is annoying to have to wait for a cell-tower connection, then ringing IF the person hears the ring, or ring is allowed. Walkie-Talkie also worked on NYC subways.

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. Using a 3rd-party alternative poses financial and privacy risks.

Consumers are not guinea pigs for failed executive decisions. Consumers should have been consulted prior to removing a major and daily feature, while Apple is branding the watch as a "safety" and "security" product for well-being. The Walkie-Talkie option provided safety and security for families.

Posted on Nov 10, 2026 8:48 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Jeff Donald

Community+ 2026

Level 9

64,028 points

Nov 10, 2026 1:12 PM in response to TMCBKLYN

Hi, I understand why you’re upset, particularly if Walkie Talkie was a deciding factor in your July purchase and something your family used daily.

Apple’s support documentation confirms that Walkie Talkie was discontinued with watchOS 27. It also states that the app cannot be downloaded again after updating, and that a watch running an earlier version cannot use Walkie Talkie to communicate with one running watchOS 27. Keeping your own watch on the older software therefore will not restore communication with your husband’s updated watch.

One technical distinction is important. Walkie Talkie did not provide a guaranteed connection or communicate directly between watches like conventional two way radios. Both participants needed connectivity through a paired iPhone, WiFi, or cellular, and the feature required FaceTime. Its convenient push to talk operation was different from making a telephone call, but it still depended on network access. Its working on the subway does not mean it worked independently of that connectivity.

That distinction does not diminish how useful the feature was to your family. An ordinary call is not an identical replacement for the communication method you describe.

Regarding a refund, Apple’s standard U.S. retail return policy provides 14 days from receipt. That policy alone does not settle whether you have a separate consumer law claim, but neither can anyone here establish an automatic entitlement to a full refund, or a finding of negligence, from the removal of the feature alone. Those are legal conclusions that require consideration of the applicable law and the circumstances of the sale.

Given your account that Walkie Talkie was specifically promoted during the purchase, I would take the receipt and any supporting documentation to the store manager and request a review of a return outside the standard period. Explain when you bought the watch, what you were told, and why this particular feature materially influenced the purchase. Ask Apple for a written response rather than assuming either that a refund is guaranteed or that the 14 day policy necessarily resolves your complaint.

You can also submit your objection through Apple’s Watch feedback form. Apple says it reads that feedback, although it cannot respond individually to every submission, that channel is separate from pursuing your purchase complaint with the store.

Product Feedback - Apple

Corporate Address

Apple

One Apple Park Way

Cupertino, CA 95014

(408) 996–1010

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Answer 2

Nov 10, 2026 9:16 AM in response to TMCBKLYN

TMCBKLYN wrote:

Apple has discontinued the Walkie-Talkie app without warning or notification. Legally, since it's no longer the product that we purchased in July 2026, we 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.

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Answer 3

TMCBKLYN Author

Level 1

18 points

Nov 10, 2026 1:15 PM in response to TMCBKLYN

Software is one thing, CORE FUNCTIONALITY is another. Learn to comprehend the issue.

Changing HOW the software works is one thing, REMOVING CORE FUNCTIONALITY altogether is a legal issue. What consumers purchased should be serviced until upgrade to a new product. Baiting and switching core functionality is a legal issue.

If volunteers on this "community" are claiming that removing the Walkie-Talkie functionality is legal, then Apple can decide, you know, FaceTime is no longer being supported, Mail, Messages, etc. including immediately AFTER a user buys the product. Where does it end?

This is why our money is being refunded -- the product is no longer what we purchased. You cannot sell one thing, then change the product's core functionality.

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Answer 4

KiltedTim

Level 10

238,498 points

Nov 10, 2026 9:14 AM in response to TMCBKLYN

TMCBKLYN wrote:

Apple has discontinued the Walkie-Talkie app without warning or notification. Legally, since it's no longer the product that we purchased in July 2026, we are entitled to a full refund of the product, even beyond the 14-day period.

False

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Answer 5

Nov 10, 2026 9:19 AM in response to TMCBKLYN

Complete nonsense! The Walkie Talkie app used the same Cellular Data/Wifi connection required to make a FaceTime Audio call. No neither your husband's safety or security has been put in jeopardy.

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Answer 6

TMCBKLYN Author

Level 1

18 points

Nov 10, 2026 12:46 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

NONSENSE?! LEGALLY we purchased a PRODUCT that featured an app, included in our product features and part of the product's selling point WITHIN the Apple Store.

We ARE getting our money back from watch purchased in July 2026.

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Answer 7

Katana-San

Level 10

123,995 points

Nov 10, 2026 12:52 PM in response to TMCBKLYN

TMCBKLYN wrote:

NONSENSE?! LEGALLY we purchased a PRODUCT that featured an app, included in our product features and part of the product's selling point WITHIN the Apple Store.

We ARE getting our money back from watch purchased in July 2026.

Hello~ Why are you lashing out here? Contact Apple as they get paid to listen to rudeness. We are volunteers and don’t.

~Katana-San~

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Answer 8

TMCBKLYN Author

Level 1

18 points

Nov 10, 2026 1:01 PM in response to Katana-San

FaceTime is NOT an option for our Apple Watches recently purchased. Please stop assuming. My post is for advising those who recently purchased one of the newer watches w/in the past 3 months. Walkie-Talkie WAS part of the core functionality, same as PHONE, MESSAGES, MAIL, ETC. To be honest, a lot of other apps could have been removed, never, ever use them. However, the communication apps should have remained. And again, FaceTime is NOT a part of our NEW Watches.

Apple should be adding, not lessening core products. Or the better option: remove the Walkie-Talkie hardware option from newer hardware products, while not stripping consumers of something they purchased wholly.

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Answer 9

TMCBKLYN Author

Level 1

18 points

Nov 10, 2026 1:42 PM in response to Jeff Donald

What I posted is after doing all the steps you provided. Thus my sharing w/ consumers who recently purchased one of the newer watches recently. We purchased a brand-spanking new Titanium watch (GPS + Cellular) for hubby in July 2026 after seeing all of the features of my watch. I purchased my own earlier in the year. The selling point for all of us, again, was the Walkie-Talkie option for our family, because the phone signal is NOT very reliable, and takes too long to make the cellular connection via mobile or watch. For volunteers in this community, FaceTime is/was NOT included w/ our standalone GPS/cellular setup, leaving us w/ just a Phone app. That is the issue here.

Husband uses his iPhone at home, prefers the watch w/ health (walking/running), and Walkie-Talkie when outside, and in our area the Walkie-Talkie app VERY, VERY reliable w/ our family members. Zero issues, except when there's a complete network outage, which is rare.

This is not a software issue, but a functionality issue. If it's a software issue, then as stated in another reply, Apple can remove phone, messages, mail, etc., leaving consumer w/ just a device to display the time, versus the product we actually purchased.

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