Recently, Google relaunched Android Wear as Wear OS. In an effort to relaunch the operating system for smart watches, They have also brought Google Pay to these devices and even will play an important role in the 2018 World Cup. If you are looking to make the most of your smartwatch with Wear OSWe bring you seven recommended apps and, in addition, an expanded selection with many more essential apps based on what works best on other watches and on community recommendations.
Today, watches with Wear OS have become a very complete extension of the mobile phone: they allow receive notifications, reply messages, control musicYou can track your health, pay at stores, and even use AI assistants directly on your wrist. All of this is possible thanks to an ever-expanding ecosystem of apps optimized for small screens and controlled by gestures or voice.
Citymapper
Citymapper It's an app that guides you through your public transport journey. It stands out for intelligently combining routes across various modes of transport, ensuring you get the best experience. optimal route based on your departure time. They claim to be more efficient than Google Maps and to manage public transport data better to achieve their goal.
On your Wear OS watch, Citymapper lets you see at a glance which line to take, how many stops are left Or what's the best combination of subway, bus, train, or public bike. Because it's designed for smartwatches, key information appears on simple screens with contextual notifications, so you don't have to take your phone out of your pocket while walking or using public transport.
Furthermore, it's a direct app for Wear OS, so It does not need to be permanently connected to the mobile phone. If your watch has its own connection, this makes it very useful when you want to travel light, for example, when traveling or getting around town.
You can download Citymapper for free from playstore:
Install:
lookbehind
Thanks to lookbehind You'll be able to see what your phone's camera is showing through your smartwatch. You'll need to download the app on both devices, but it will allow you to control your phone's camera from your watch – Zoom and flash included. Thanks to this, you can see better areas that you can reach with your arm but where you can't put your head.
These types of apps turn your watch into a remote Switch Perfect for group photos, more creative selfies, or even using your phone's rear camera as a front camera with a preview on your wrist. This way you don't have to rely on a timer or frame shots "blindly."
You can buy lookbehind for € 0 from Play Store:
Purchase:
Google Fit
Google recently updated Fit to optimize its use on Wear OS. Thanks to this application, you'll be aware of your Workout routinesIt tracks your daily steps and key metrics like calories, distance, and active minutes. Overall, it will help you Take care of yourself more and take better care of yourself..
Google Fit uses the watch's sensors to track your daily physical activity and display it with easy-to-interpret progress charts and rings on your wrist. It also allows you to start specific training sessions (running, walking, cycling, etc.) and mark customizable goals that sync with your Google account.
Another great advantage is its integration with other health apps and sports (like some of those we will see later, for example Strava or habits and nutrition apps), so that all your data is concentrated in the same panel and it is more convenient to keep an overall track of your lifestyle.
You can download Google Fit for free from playstore:
Download:
Recordr
With Recordr You can use your watch's microphone to record audioYou can send it directly to your mobile phone after finishing to make a copy in the cloud if needed. Along with the aforementioned lookbehindWith these two applications you can feel like a private detective being imaginative.
Voice recording apps for Wear OS are especially useful for fast notesIdeas you don't want to forget, small meetings, or impromptu interviews. Many of them allow you to play and delete recordings directly from the watch, as well as sync files with your phone to rename or better organize them.
You can download Recordr for free from Play Store:
Get:
Google Keep
Google Keep It's a wonderful app for taking notes, and on Wear OS it's a fantastic app for keeping track of your pending tasksIf you're doing your shopping, for example, it's a very useful option to know what you need to buy and easily cross things off the list.
From the watch you can view all the notes synced with your Google account, create new ones using the keyboard, or voice dictation and review reminders you've previously set on your phone or computer. While complex text editing is usually better done on large screens, having your most important notes always on your wrist is very convenient.
You can download Google Keep for free from Play Store:
Low:
Find my Parked Car
The name of this app speaks for itself. Find my Parked Car It will allow you to leave a mark when parking and it will offer you a step-by-step guide to finding it once you're far enough away.
These types of apps are especially useful in large parking lots or cities you don't knowThe watch shows you the vehicle's location on a map and can even open a route in Google Maps so you can walk to it. This way, you don't have to rely on your memory or take impromptu photos of where you parked.
You can download Find my Parked Car for free from Play Store:
Get:
Wear Casts
If you really like listening to podcasts, this native Wear OS app is the best solution. Everything you could expect from a similar application on your phone is available here.
With Wear Casts can Subscribe to your favorite showsDownload episodes directly to the watch and listen to them with Bluetooth headphones without needing your phone. This makes it an ideal companion for running, walking, or going to the gym with just your smartwatch.
You can download Wear Casts for free from Play Store:
Proof:
Other recommended apps to get more out of Wear OS
In addition to the apps already included in this collection, the Wear OS ecosystem has grown significantly, and today there are many more tools worth considering. Below you'll find a selection based on the apps most highly recommended by other specialized media outlets and advanced users, grouped by type of use so you can easily find what you need.
Communication and messaging on the wrist
- WhatsAppIt allows you to receive notifications, read messages, send quick replies, voice notes, and, depending on the watch, even start new conversations and view photos. On models with LTE or WiFi, it can function quite independently of the phone.
- TelegramA very complete alternative for sending and receiving messages, photos, videos and voice notesIt is especially useful on watches for quickly responding in groups or channels without taking out your phone.
- Microsoft OutlookIts Wear OS version stands out for its interface, which is very well adapted to the watch, with quick access to Important emails, calendar, and notificationsIdeal if you handle a lot of professional email.
Music, podcasts, and multimedia content
- Spotify: one of the most popular music services, with an app for Wear OS that allows control playback, change playlists, mark songs you like and, on many watches, download music for offline listening.
- YouTube MusicA powerful alternative for those who use Google's service. It allows you to download playlists to your watch and listen to music without carrying your phone, perfect for working out.
- Shazam: ideal for instantly identify songs From your wrist, whether you're in a bar, watching TV, or listening to the radio. The Wear OS version saves a history of the tracks you've recognized so you can refer to them later.
Health, sports and well-being
- StravaProbably one of the most popular sports apps. Its Wear OS version records running, walking, cycling and other sports Taking advantage of the watch's GPS and sensors, it connects with the community to compare times and stay motivated.
- 7 minute workoutA guided short workout app, perfect for training at home or in the office. You see it on your watch. the exercise that's next and the time that remainswithout looking at my phone.
- Sleep as Android: focused on the sleep qualityIt measures your sleep cycles using the watch's sensors and wakes you up during lighter phases so you feel less tired. It includes relaxing sounds and detailed statistics.
- Lifesum, YAZIO and similar apps: focused on nutrition, calorie counting, and hydrationThe Wear OS versions usually allow you to quickly log meals, water intake, or check your daily goals without using your smartphone.
- Breathing Zone and breathing apps: very useful for doing guided breathing pauseswith simple animations on the watch face that indicate when to inhale and exhale to reduce stress.
Productivity, lists, and organization
- TOne of the best task managers. You can see it on the clock. your daily to-do list, mark tasks as completed and review projects, taking advantage of the fact that it synchronizes with mobile and computer.
- Bring! Shopping listDesigned specifically for shared shopping lists. From your wrist you can Mark products already added to the cart and see in real time what other family members add.
- Habitify, Qhabit, and other habit trackersThey help you consolidate good habits (reading, drinking water, doing light exercise) with reminders and quick check-ins from the watch face.
- Baby daybookDesigned for new parents, it allows you to record from the watch. feedings, diaper changes, or napssyncing everything afterwards with the mobile phone to have a very complete history.
Navigation, transport and travel
- Google Maps: essential viewing turn by turn directions Walking or using public transport without taking out your phone. You can follow the planned route on your phone or start a new route directly from the watch.
- AccuWeather and similar weather apps: although they are usually simpler than their mobile versions, they display everything on a single screen temperature, wind chill, rain and immediate forecastenough to decide what clothes to wear or whether to take an umbrella.
- Flightradar and App in the AirDesigned for travelers, they show key information about flights, schedules, delays and boarding gates directly on the wrist, so as not to depend on the mobile phone in airports.
Device customization and control
- Facer and Timeflik: two of the most complete platforms for customize watch facesThey offer thousands of designs created by users and brands, some free and others paid, as well as tools to create your own watch faces with custom complications, colors, and backgrounds.
- SimpleWear: allows control from the watch Mobile phone settings such as WiFi, Bluetooth, brightness, or flashlight...and even check the phone's battery status. It's very useful for avoiding constantly unlocking your smartphone.
- Google HomeIf you have smart home devices, this app turns your watch into a small smart home system. home control center: turn on lights, change the temperature, play music on compatible speakers, etc.
- Battery monitor and device information appsThey show data such as battery percentage, temperature, storage, and specificationsand they can even warn you if your watch or mobile phone is running out of power.
Artificial intelligence and advanced utilities
- Google AssistantIntegrated into many Wear OS watches, it allows Use your voice to ask questions, launch timers, control home devices, or start routes in Maps, among many other functions.
- Nova AI and similar apps based on ChatGPTThey carry the language models on the wristThey are useful for asking for quick explanations, writing replies, translating sentences or making small inquiries without taking out your mobile phone, although free versions usually limit the number of daily requests.
- Voice translators: very practical when traveling, as they allow diction and near-simultaneous translation directly on the watch, displaying the translated text or playing the speech in the target language.
As you can see, with the right apps, a Wear OS watch can cover almost any daily need: from getting around town and exercising to managing your email, controlling your home, or talking to an AI assistant without taking your phone out of your pocket. Gradually trying out different categories and keeping only the apps you actually use every day is the best way to turn your smartwatch into a truly useful tool tailored to your lifestyle.
