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How to install apps on your Android Wear smartwatch
>> By David [email protected]
1. Find your apps
Google has kindly put up a gallery of Android Wear apps on Google Play – most of these apps have been updated to provide something else on your wrist besides simple notifications. A growing number of them (including @here) have been built specifically for watches rather than phones, but are still installed through your mobile.
You can find the same selection from the Android Wear app on your smartphone: choose 'Browse suggested apps' from the front page of the app.
2. If you've ever installed apps on your phone then you can install apps on your smartwatch – the process is exactly the same for Android Wear apps whether you're using Google Play on the web or the Play app on your phone. Tap through the confirmation screens (and any payment information dialogs) to start downloading your chosen app. Apps specifically built for Android Wear will be transferred over automatically and won't show up as icons in the list of apps on your smartphone.
3. If you want to run an app from your watch, with the new Lollipop 5.1 update there is a new list of apps to choose from before you hit the old actions list - just tap any app to start using it. The menu is the first list that comes up when you swipe to the left before contacts.
Most apps also come with a voice command you can use as an alternative way of launching them (check the app descriptions for details).
4. Watch navigation and Launching from your phone, Setting up notifications>>Setting up default apps
Good tut
Thanks for the tutorial. Very easy to follow.
How to install apps on your Android wear
Soon I'm planning to hit a purchase to android wear smartwatch & the informative content that you have posted will be helpful for me in future.. Thanks a lot for the same.
Useful information. But will it work, if I am using a modified version of Android. Like I am thinking about having a Block Modular Smart watch.
Sent from my GT-S5360 using XDA Free mobile app
Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what they're talking about on the internet? You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I can't believe you're not more popular because you definitely have the gift.
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Hey everyone, first post.
I just picked up a Gear S2 classic. I started playing around with it and so far I have a few questions and issues with a couple things. I'm pairing it with my Galaxy S7.
My first and foremost concern is the removal of the stock and bloatware apps. I realize most people may use the fitness aspect of the watch, or its other built-in features, but I won't. All of the pre-installed apps are cluttering the watch for me. For example, I won't be using the email app (I use Gmail solely), Buddy, Find My Phone (I have location turned off), S Health, Running, S Voice (I thoroughly prefer Google), Samsung Pay, World Clock (it's really irritating and pointless to have 4 different clock apps on the watch. They should be lumped into one like on the phone), Messages (unless this can work with Textra), Music Player (I use another music app on my phone, although I do appreciate that this one somehow controls the music once it's started on that app on my phone). This is a make or break point for me as far as keeping or selling the watch.
Next, is the only way to use the Galaxy Apps store to have to sign into your phone with your Samsung account? I absolutely don't want to be connected to the Samsung Cloud. This is the only reason I'm not using Samsung Pay. If I sign into anything on my phone with my Samsung account, it signs my whole phone in and connects me to the darned Samsung Cloud. Many people have their information synced up there even with all sync options off, so I want to avoid this.
Third, some notifications like the ones from Snapchat are not being acknowledged by the watch at all. And yes, all notifications are selected to appear from the Gear App (Snapchat included). And no, I don't have the blacklist setting on.
I appreciate everyone's help with this, thank you so much. As much info as possible would be wonderful.
I am just wondering why you bought this watch if you don't want any of the connected features that come with it? . In any event I don't know of any way to remove pre-installed apps
Sent from my SM-T377P using XDA-Developers mobile app
cwb1231 said:
I am just wondering why you bought this watch if you don't want any of the connected features that come with it? . In any event I don't know of any way to remove pre-installed apps
Sent from my SM-T377P using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mean, it's supposed to be something like the best smartwatch out there in a lot of ways, and I wanted essentially an extension of my phone on my wrist that could function on its own too. I also have a Moto 360 first gen I play around with here and there, and for a first generation smartwatch, it does well. So far, with the issues outlined above, I can't really say the same about the Gear S2.
Hello community!
The built-in backup feature is extremely limited, and almost useless because it essentially backs-up only the Quick Settings screen and a handful of other Settings.
All downloaded watch faces as well as other apps (and app data) are excluded from the backup.
I have sideloaded this File Manager using EasyFireTools.
File Manager - Apps on Google Play
Fast, easy-to-use and full-featured file manager app with cloud integration.
play.google.com
This file manager allows me backup all apks, as well as connect to my phone and PC wirelessly over the network.
But the main issue is app data. None of the watch faces come with a configuration file that can be exported/ imported, so every watch face has to be setup from scratch each time.
Is there a simpler way to backup watch face configurations as well as other Apps'data?
Thanks.
RELATED POSTS
You'll find more info and related links here:
Wear OS - Facts
Hello community! In this post, I am giving you info on some aspects of Wear OS, which you may or may not know. All the details presented are based on my experience with Samsung Galaxy Watch4 (WiFi model), running on Wear OS 3.x. So they may not...
forum.xda-developers.com
I use thema watch faces (for example I use this Chrono) and it comes with a partner app on your phone to customize more settings and it has a built-in setting saver. While not all watch faces have this, it is amazing and thema has a ton available on the playstore. They're all free with limited options but the settings save options are free and a single iap for unlocking all options.
spart0n said:
I use thema watch faces (for example I use this Chrono) and it comes with a partner app on your phone to customize more settings and it has a built-in setting saver. While not all watch faces have this, it is amazing and thema has a ton available on the playstore. They're all free with limited options but the settings save options are free and a single iap for unlocking all options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have seen some of the watch faces from thema and others like RichFace, whose phone apps look similar.
Most of the features are locked behind a paywall. Does one have to buy each feature separately or buying once unlocks all features?
On the Play Store, they say x dollars per item. So not sure what exactly that means.
It is per watchface for thema unfortunately. But it's not unreasonable to me. Less than $2 and I use Google opinion rewards and I get $2 worth of credits in less than a month for Google play so like I said imo I don't think it's much.
spart0n said:
It is per watchface for thema unfortunately. But it's not unreasonable to me. Less than $2 and I use Google opinion rewards and I get $2 worth of credits in less than a month for Google play so like I said imo I don't think it's much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, the payment for each watch face is separate. That is obvious.
My question is regarding features inside each watch face. For example, weather update, Google Fit integration, Samsung Health integration, AOD customisations, etc. are all locked behind a paywall.
Is the payment for each of these features separate, or just a single payment is required to unlock all premium features inside the watch face?
The 'Buy premium' option is shown separately against each of the premium feature. That is what is confusing. Does the 'Buy premium' unlock all premium features inside the watch face, or just that particular feature?
TheMystic said:
Sure, the payment for each watch face is separate. That is obvious.
My question is regarding features inside each watch face. For example, weather update, Google Fit integration, Samsung Health integration, AOD customisations, etc. are all locked behind a paywall.
Is the payment for each of these features separate, or just a single payment is required to unlock all premium features inside the watch face?
The 'Buy premium' option is shown separately against each of the premium feature. That is what is confusing. Does the 'Buy premium' unlock all premium features inside the watch face, or just that particular feature?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OH I did not understand your question. Yes it's 1 payment for all features. 1 iap for everything.
spart0n said:
OH I did not understand your question. Yes it's 1 payment for all features. 1 iap for everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They should make that clear on the store description. They say x dollars per item, hence the confusion.
Thanks for clarifying this.
spart0n said:
It is per watchface for thema unfortunately. But it's not unreasonable to me. Less than $2 and I use Google opinion rewards and I get $2 worth of credits in less than a month for Google play so like I said imo I don't think it's much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Watch faces from RichFace, Thema, and others have pretty much everything locked behind a paywall. There is no way to test and see how the watch face would look after the user configures it the way he likes.
Going through the refund process of in-app purchase is a pain. Plus there are often licence verification issues on devices with multiple Google accounts.
I would rather install a paid app, see how it looks, and opt for refund with a single click if I don't like it.
TheMystic said:
Hello community!
The built-in backup feature is extremely limited, and almost useless because it essentially backs-up only the Quick Settings screen and a handful of other Settings.
All downloaded watch faces as well as other apps (and app data) are excluded from the backup.
I have sideloaded this File Manager using EasyFireTools.
File Manager - Apps on Google Play
Fast, easy-to-use and full-featured file manager app with cloud integration.
play.google.com
This file manager allows me backup all apks, as well as connect to my phone and PC wirelessly over the network.
But the main issue is app data. None of the watch faces come with a configuration file that can be exported/ imported, so every watch face has to be setup from scratch each time.
Is there a simpler way to backup watch face configurations as well as other Apps'data?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will never be able to backup app data without root. Just to put that to bed.
73sydney said:
You will never be able to backup app data without root. Just to put that to bed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's pathetic despite Android now being over 12 years old in commercial business. This is one area where Apple products are clear winners. They allow you to backup ALL app data, even if not the app themselves.
With Wear OS, the backup doesn't even include the downloaded watch faces themselves. One can't even unpair the watch without factory resetting it. When there are such limitations, the backup should be more elaborate and include the app data, including for downloaded apps and watch faces.
TheMystic said:
That's pathetic despite Android now being over 12 years old in commercial business. This is one area where Apple products are clear winners. They allow you to backup ALL app data, even if not the app themselves.
With Wear OS, the backup doesn't even include the downloaded watch faces themselves. One can't even unpair the watch without factory resetting it. When there are such limitations, the backup should be more elaborate and include the app data, including for downloaded apps and watch faces.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been trying to find any useful information on trying to backup my Facer and WatchMaker face files to a microSd card because faces on the app I've download seem to dissappear. If I've paid for a membership I'd think I'd have the right to back them up but I haven't been able to find anything. Searching through my file manager trying to even find anything resembling watch faces or the apps themselves is like looking for a UFO at Walmart. What the heck. There has to be a way to back them up. Anyone?
According to some info people gleemed in the files in a recent Google play services update, Google is working on a more thorough backup feature for wear os but I wouldn't count on it to backup everything
I am also now trying to find this, because I had purchased watch faces that for some reason unknown have now been removed from the playstore after being there for years, I wasn't expecting to loose a number of my watch faces, wouldn't have cared so much if they were free the face was from watchfacestudio com.watchfacestudio.tagcarrera. I have now purchased another however I am worried that this will get pulled as well, and no backup.
Does anyone know any ADB or ROOT methods to backup securely these faces?
Do they work like an apk following these methods?
Watch4 ADB Commands - Disable/Enable/Uninstall/Restore system app, Install/pull Apps
Hello Everyone, I hope you all are good, So I see some on you wondering about how to uninstall, reinstall, install, pull, enable and disable apps for the watch, so I decided to make this thread to address these different scenarios, this is based...
forum.xda-developers.com
danw_oz said:
I am also now trying to find this, because I had purchased watch faces that for some reason unknown have now been removed from the playstore after being there for years, I wasn't expecting to loose a number of my watch faces, wouldn't have cared so much if they were free the face was from watchfacestudio com.watchfacestudio.tagcarrera. I have now purchased another however I am worried that this will get pulled as well, and no backup.
Does anyone know any ADB or ROOT methods to backup securely these faces?
Do they work like an apk following these methods?
Watch4 ADB Commands - Disable/Enable/Uninstall/Restore system app, Install/pull Apps
Hello Everyone, I hope you all are good, So I see some on you wondering about how to uninstall, reinstall, install, pull, enable and disable apps for the watch, so I decided to make this thread to address these different scenarios, this is based...
forum.xda-developers.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As mentioned in the OP, you can install the file manager linked there and backup the watch faces you want, just as would backup any app on the phone. If the watch faces get booted from the Play Store or you don't find them from their original source, you can simply reinstall the apk from your backup above and it will work just fine.
No need for root to backup (and reinstall) just the watchface apk.
Hello community!
This is an idea gathering exercise.
For a while since I purchased it, I never bothered with my Galaxy Watch4 (my first smartwatch). But as I'm now tinkering with it, I find it quite interesting. Here is a list of what my watch can do:
01. Show me a whole lot of information. I have 3 favorite watch faces, each configured to give me a different set of information. All I have to do is simply change the watch face and they tell me much of what i want to know. Actually, this one watch face tells me pretty much everything I need to know.
02. Navigation on the wrist.
03. Notifications from my phone.
04. Managing phone calls.
05. Wirelessly transfer files among all my devices like watch, phone, laptop and NAS. I use the following two apps for this purpose:
1. File Manager
2. WiFi Pro FTP server
06. Listen to music using Samsung Music app. I haven't had the need to install another music app.
07. Watch videos using the watch companion of this app: Sun Player. You don't need this app on your phone.
08. Stream YouTube videos using NewPipe.
09. Manage my emails. I have installed Microsoft Outlook, Samsung Email, FairEmail and K-9 email apps. But I haven't configured any yet, except for Microsoft Outlook.
10. Browse the internet using Samsung Internet browser.
11. Read PDF using built-in PDF reader of X-Plore File Manager.
12. Read e-books using AIReader.
13. Control the basic functions of my Samsung TV using SmartThings app.
I know I have left out the single biggest thing that most people use a smartwatch for: Health Tracking. I don't use it because much of that is gimmicky stuff and one must not rely on the number game when it comes to health matters. Things like an app reminding one to drink water is one of the most absurd things that people would use.
Some of the apps are Android apps meant for the phone. But they are quite usable on the watch too. I sideload them using one of the following apps:
1. Easy Fire Tools
2. Bugjaeger
The following tutorials illustrate how to sideload apps on watch running Wear OS:
How to Sideload Apps on Samsung Galaxy Watch Wear OS - DroidWin
How to Sideload Apps on Samsung Galaxy Watch Wear OS
In this comprehensive tutorial, we will show you detailed steps to sideload any app on your Samsung Galaxy Watch running Wear OS.
www.droidwin.com
3 Ways to Install Apps or APK on Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 - wearablestouse.com
3 Ways to Install Apps or APK on Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 & 5 - wearablestouse.com
Want to download or sideload apps on your Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 smartwatch? Here's how to install apps and APK on Galaxy Watch 4.
wearablestouse.com
What are the things you use your watch for?
RELATED POSTS
You'll find more info and related links here:
Wear OS - Facts
Hello community! In this post, I am giving you info on some aspects of Wear OS, which you may or may not know. All the details presented are based on my experience with Samsung Galaxy Watch4 (WiFi model), running on Wear OS 3.x. So they may not...
forum.xda-developers.com
Telling time... after all, it is a watch.
see the date, time and weather
Start my car, open the garage door and control all alexa enabled devices plus all of the usual stuff...
It does so many things. But my life is also just fine without it.
TacoDeMuerte said:
Telling time... after all, it is a watch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have edited the title of the post to now read 'smartwatch'.
AwaKeN said:
see the date, time and weather
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have edited the title of the post to now read 'smartwatch'.
larryk said:
Start my car, open the garage door and control all alexa enabled devices plus all of the usual stuff...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me guess: you have setup Alexa or Google Assistant on your phone and use voice commands on your watch. These things are quite impressive, but personally I'm not comfortable in allowing apps to constantly keep listening to my conversations.
Virgo_Guy said:
It does so many things. But my life is also just fine without it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely. They are just too far from being a necessity. On the contrary, they are more of a distraction and contribute to loss of application of human faculties.
I shut off the listening part in both Alexa and Google Assistant, and just use the buttons to start the app...
Hello community!
In this post, I am giving you info on some aspects of Wear OS, which you may or may not know. All the details presented are based on my experience with Samsung Galaxy Watch4 (WiFi model), running on Wear OS 3.x. So they may not be representative of all the watches (and those that run on custom software like Tizen) in the market.
Let's begin:
01. You can sideload phone apps on the Watch using ADB. There are good tutorials on the internet that explain how to go about it. If the UI on the app is difficult to use, you may be able to make it usable by reducing the DPI of your watch. Again, there are good tutorials available for this on the internet. It is advisable that you restore the DPI to its default values after setting up the apps to prevent unexpected behaviour or other problems.
02. There is no support for VPN service on Wear OS. So you can't run Android Firewall apps like Netguard, Karma Firewall, etc.
03. There is no App Info page in the watch for installed apps. This means you can't delete cache or data for apps. You can only install or uninstall apps, just like in iOS. However, the app info page is available on the Galaxy Wear app (for Samsung Galaxy Watch) that will show the storage used, battery consumed, memory occupied for each app. It will also allow for force stopping and uninstalling apps on the watch from this screen.
04. You can backup your watch faces and other apps installed from Play Store (or other official stores like Galaxy Store) using an Android File Manager that supports APK backups. There is no built-in support for this though.
05. As with Android, there is NO support for backing up app data, or the configurations of watch faces. The built-in backup feature is very limited in what it does, so don't expect that you'll be able to simply restore everything after a factory reset. This is one area where iOS and WatchOS are clear winners.
06. If you reset the network settings on your phone, you'll have to factory reset your watch to pair it with your phone again. Apparently, this is for security (of your data) purposes.
07. If you are using a Samsung Galaxy watch running on Wear OS, then the Galaxy Watch Manager app on your phone is very crucial, and holds your watch's pairing key. If you delete this app's data on your phone or uninstall it, you'll have to factory reset your watch to pair it with your phone again.
08. Your watch can actually play videos, stream media, act like a FTP server, and do a few more things if you install (sideload) the right apps. I wouldn't recommend doing that regularly because the watch hardware is not designed to do these things, so you'll really be pushing the hardware if you use your watch for such activities for extended periods.
09. Unlike your phone, the displays used on smartwatches are prone to screen burn-in, especially because most of the watch faces do not offer a proper AOD feature that minimizes this risk. So choosing the right watch face is very important. Alternatively, keep changing the watch face every day or so.
10. AOD works only when you are wearing your watch. This is a good thing because it not only preserves battery, but also helps reduce screen burn-in.
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