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.
Related
I like my S2 Classic a lot and find it has most of the apps I want. Two things that are really bothering me with the incredibly lame Samsung Gear Apps "store".
#1 Dear Samsung, Make a category for watch faces, put all the watch faces in there. Stop cluttering up the categories with tons of stupid watch faces. When I click on Finance, I don't want to see watch faces, I want to see financial applications for my smartwatch.
#2 Google has a Play store. You can access it on your computer in a web browser. I like to browse the web on dual 27" monitors. Why doesn't Samsung Gear Apps have a way to access the content via a web browser. It would make it lot easier to scroll past a couple dozen mis-categorized watch faces (see #1 above) if I could do it from my computer.
Cheers!
+1
Is there anyway to fake out your PC's browser to browse the app Store?
There's really not much wrong with the S2 stylistically and functionally. I have the classic and am very happy with the look, use, battery life, etc. But the app store is awful. There were supposed to be 1000 apps at launch...and there probably are, but 990 of them are watch faces. The Groupon app was just released and it's completely pointless. The mistake with that, and many other apps, is that in order to access content, it pushes to the phone. Which is the whole point of the watch, to act as an accessory where you could access info without pulling out your phone every time. So we all put down the cash to get this thing, and we'll continue to use it, but will hold out hope to see what (if any) new apps of usefulness come to Tizen.
cyko said:
I like my S2 Classic a lot and find it has most of the apps I want. Two things that are really bothering me with the incredibly lame Samsung Gear Apps "store".
#1 Dear Samsung, Make a category for watch faces, put all the watch faces in there. Stop cluttering up the categories with tons of stupid watch faces. When I click on Finance, I don't want to see watch faces, I want to see financial applications for my smartwatch.
#2 Google has a Play store. You can access it on your computer in a web browser. I like to browse the web on dual 27" monitors. Why doesn't Samsung Gear Apps have a way to access the content via a web browser. It would make it lot easier to scroll past a couple dozen mis-categorized watch faces (see #1 above) if I could do it from my computer.
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, there still missing good apps for S2, howerver, some was released. I found nice looking application to read ebooks, called eReader. But I didn't know how put some book files. Samsung forgot to put some file explorer!!! I found one finally to trasfer files, filesmaster, but it is too expensive for me. I hope will be better with apps, maybe tizen was wrond way, no apps, because no developers. Typically for samsung, good hardware, no software at all.
zigismall said:
Yes, there still missing good apps for S2, howerver, some was released. I found nice looking application to read ebooks, called eReader. But I didn't know how put some book files. Samsung forgot to put some file explorer!!! I found one finally to trasfer files, filesmaster, but it is too expensive for me. I hope will be better with apps, maybe tizen was wrond way, no apps, because no developers. Typically for samsung, good hardware, no software at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't Filemaster only $3.00? That's not much to move files back and forth. It's a great app.
NoFaQ said:
Isn't Filemaster only $3.00? That's not much to move files back and forth. It's a great app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually $3 not too much. Now I can see how many things I can do with Filesmaster. Files transfer both directions, manage them (delete, copy/move, create folders, info etc), showing pictures, playing mp3 or video files. Yes, your are right, worth every cent, great stuff. I hope there will be more good apps soon.
Totally Agree
Couldn't agree more !
Really enjoying my S2 Classic with AVITAL Clock face.
Also here is a huge power saving tip, TURN OFF SVOICE Wake-Up, and turn off WIFI if not needed.
Enjoy,
Rick
cyko said:
I like my S2 Classic a lot and find it has most of the apps I want. Two things that are really bothering me with the incredibly lame Samsung Gear Apps "store".
#1 Dear Samsung, Make a category for watch faces, put all the watch faces in there. Stop cluttering up the categories with tons of stupid watch faces. When I click on Finance, I don't want to see watch faces, I want to see financial applications for my smartwatch.
#2 Google has a Play store. You can access it on your computer in a web browser. I like to browse the web on dual 27" monitors. Why doesn't Samsung Gear Apps have a way to access the content via a web browser. It would make it lot easier to scroll past a couple dozen mis-categorized watch faces (see #1 above) if I could do it from my computer.
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there any way to access the gear s2 apps store on the web like android play to check the apps available to get.
jaime4272 said:
Is there any way to access the gear s2 apps store on the web like android play to check the apps available to get.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No
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.
While setting up the Samung4 smartwatch, I noticed Customization Service is installed and turned on in the Galaxy Wearable app for the watch. I don't remember if it was installed and turned on in my Note9 phone but since I set up the watch it is. Should I turn off the Customization Service or do I need it enabled for the watch apps to function and display properly?
https://www.samsung.com/us/account/customization-service/
Play with it and see what works best for you.
A lot of documentation may be missing or near impossible to find. It's nearly impossible to crash* a stock Android so... explore.
*3rd party apps excluded. The stock Sammy ones are likely safe though.
You do not need it for the watch to work. You can turn it off if you have concerns about privacy. It is a personal choice.
Thanks! I read it's a default setting on the watch to collect data. I just wasn't sure if it affected the apps if I disabled it.
CKavanagh said:
Thanks! I read it's a default setting on the watch to collect data. I just wasn't sure if it affected the apps if I disabled it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can also use Karma Firewall to block the app after it's installed and running. I do this with Wearables and the Good Lock family of apps on my Samsung. Karma uses almost no battery and is freeware.
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...
During this week, I was playing around with my Watch4, and this post is about some of my observations, and conclusions about the same. Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong with any of them.
There are essentially two categories of 3rd party watch faces:
1. CATEGORY 1: One that uses resources within the watch itself to display information.
The Android phone app for this category of watch faces merely send the store link to the watch face so you can simply install the app from the watch itself. The Android app here has no further role and can be uninstalled from the phone. But I would recommend that they remain installed in the phone because of a specific benefit: you can quickly install these watch faces from the watch because all these appear under 'Apps in Phone' section of Google Play Store app in the watch. So instead of uninstalling, it is better to put them in deep sleep (optimised state) on the phone.
Some of the watch faces in this category are:
01. amoledwatchfaces02. HMKwatch (or HMKwatch)03. Matteo Dini MD04. Ballozi05. Bosenko East (or Bosenko)06. fatih sendur07. WFProduction by A.Kovalev08. PERSONA Watch Face09. WINwatchface10. Tancha Watch Faces11. Yosash12. Chester13. Ntv Watchfaces14. Active Design Watch Faces15. Lihtnes16. SMZ JeonDaeHyun17. MDS18. Digital Wings [DW]19. SHIFR20. EK21. IV Watch Faces22. Timeflik (ex Mr. Time)23. MyWF Cartel24. Inspire Watch25. Prado Design26. MW Design27. Re: Brand28. Amser Watch Faces29. MW Design30. MatveyAn31. MDS Watch Faces32. styles4you33. Inspireand others.
All the above watch faces are either paid or have in-app purchases. They don't come with an accompanying Android phone app for their working, with very few exceptions that need the Android app just for phone battery feature.
2. CATEGORY 2: One where the watch face connects to its companion app on the phone over bluetooth/ wifi/ nearby devices to exchange information. In this case, the companion apps on the phone must keep running in the background in order to update certain information on the watch. e.g. phone battery level, etc.
The Android phone apps for this category of watch faces usually come with ads. although there are exceptions. For these apps, I have seen that almost every feature/ customization for these apps are locked behind a paywall. Personally, I find most of them very annoying, although there are exceptions. The following are some of the developers who engage in such a practice:
No ads; only in-app purchase
1. SOOON2. GS Watchfaces
Ad supported; in-app purchases to unlock most features and customizations
1. RichFace2. thema3. Smart Art Studios4. DeNitE Appzand others.The problem that I have noted with this Category 2 type of watch faces is that they may interfere with the connection between the phone and the watch. This is only an observation and I may be wrong. So the community can confirm or reject this observation.
In my case, the Galaxy Wear app as well as Smart Things app were having too much problems in displaying the battery level of the watch when I had this 2nd category of watch faces installed. Once I uninstalled all these, the problem seems to have been sorted. I must mention here that I had put all these companion apps in deep sleep mode on my Samsung phone. My guess as to why this created problems is because the watch faces were trying to contact their companion apps, which were not responding as they were optimized. This probably led to the connection being overwhelmed by these watch faces that resulted in the problem noted above.
UPDATE: My suspicion is probably correct. Apps and watch faces that REQUIRE a companion app on the phone are indeed the most likely culprit for this problem. The solution is to disable battery optimisation for these apps on the phone, or uninstall such apps from both the phone and the watch.
ADDITIONAL COMPLICATIONS SUPPORT
The following apps will add support for corresponding complications for all your watch faces that support WearOS/ 3rd party complications (i.e. those that are not designed to get complications only from their own companion apps on the phone, e.g Manager by SOOON):
1. Phone Battery Complication
2. Complications Suite - Wear OS
3. Heart Rate Complication
4. Health Services Complications
5. SimpleWeather
6. SimpleWear
If you have any of the above apps installed, you'll be able to add the corresponding complication to all of your watch faces. For example, if you add the 2nd item above, you'll be able to add UTC Time, day number, week number, etc. to all your watch faces, even if they don't come with it. Same holds true of BP, and other health related complications.
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