Apple has quietly removed the Walkie-Talkie app from Apple Watch in the first developer beta of watchOS 27, with the app vanishing from both the app list and Control Center. The feature launched with watchOS 5 in 2018, allowing users to send push-to-talk voice messages over Wi-Fi or cellular using FaceTime infrastructure.

Walkie-Talkie worked over any distance, offering a novel way to communicate without an iPhone. However, Apple gave it minimal attention across eight major watchOS releases. Shortly after launch, a security vulnerability forced a temporary disable, requiring a watchOS 5.3 fix, which did little to build lasting user enthusiasm.

The removal hasn't been officially confirmed, but beta users report the app is completely missing with no reinstall option. While watchOS 27 remains in early testing and Apple could restore the feature, the lack of updates suggests this is a deliberate quiet retirement rather than an oversight.

A public beta arrives next month, followed by a fall launch alongside new Apple Watch models. The disappearance of Walkie-Talkie reflects Apple's shifting priorities toward more integrated communication features.