Why has Apple removed Walkie-Talkie from Apple Watch in watchOS 27 Beta?

In the latest developer beta of watchOS 27, Apple has discreetly removed the Walkie-Talkie app from the Apple Watch, eliminating it from both the app list and Control Center. Introduced with watchOS 5 in 2018, Walkie-Talkie enabled users to send voice messages via push-to-talk over Wi-Fi or cellular using FaceTime, offering communication over any distance without needing an iPhone. Despite its innovative nature, the feature received minimal updates through eight major watchOS versions. Shortly after its release, a security flaw emerged, allowing unauthorized microphone access, prompting Apple to temporarily disable the app until the issue was fixed in watchOS 5.3. The app’s removal hasn’t been officially acknowledged by Apple, yet those using the watchOS 27 beta report its absence, with no option for reinstallation. Although there’s a slim chance of its return before the official software release later this year, the lack of updates over the years suggests the feature is being quietly retired. The public beta of watchOS 27 is anticipated next month, with a full launch expected in the fall, potentially coinciding with new Apple Watch models.