It is often said that the time for smart watches is coming, but they are still needed. profound changes in compatibility so anyone can use them without worrying about what phone they have. One of the biggest bottlenecks is precisely that: make the watch work with as many phones as possible and without any loss of functionality. Google has been working on this with Android Wear (now Wear OS), and the landscape has evolved with stages of support and withdrawal depending on the system version.
Android Wear, Apple Watch, Tizen, LG, Sony ...
If you want, you can then look at the amount of "operating systems" for smartwatches There are. Each platform uses its own system. Only Android Wear/Wear OS serves as a nexus in the Android ecosystem, but the truth is that there are even companies with watches running Wear OS and others with proprietary systems, such as LG Watch Urbane. Thus the things, one no longer knows what to buyIf I have a Galaxy, I might consider a Samsung Gear/Galaxy Watch; if I want an iPhone, the most integrated option seems to be the Apple Watch. Is Wear OS better, or should I opt for a standalone platform like some manufacturers have used? These uncertainties show how volatile this market can be.
It's not the manufacturers' fault; actually There is no single guideline to set the directionHistorically, only Google has been able to successfully steer manufacturers, and Android's expansion demonstrates this. But in watches, the paths have diverged: Apple Watch integrates seamlessly with iOS, while Wear OS offers its best experience on Android and, depending on the version, limits or removes iPhone support.
It is important to be clear about the current rules: Watches with Wear OS 3 and later do not officially pair with iPhone.Google reflects this in its support, and as a result, popular models like the Galaxy Watch and Pixel Watch don't offer native iOS support. Other Wear OS brands have had periods of partial iOS support, with reduced features and an unstable experience.
Android Wear must be compatible with everything
But of course, Wear OS isn't like Android on mobile. We're talking about complementary accessories, not completely standalone devices. If I have an Android smartphone and an iPad tablet, buying a watch from a closed platform might limit me. The appealing idea is a watch that It will work even if you change your phoneGoogle worked on bringing Wear OS to iOS via an official app in its early stages; however, official compatibility not present in Wear OS 3 and later, so pairing with iPhone is not possible natively on most current models. Even manufacturers like Xiaomi would launch a smart watch with their own proposals.
As far as features go when there is iOS support (or workarounds), the usual is the notification mirrorThe complex thing is controlling the iPhone from the watch or answering messages, because iOS limits third-party access. When official support existed, you could receive notifications, select spheres and little else; Answering emails, messages or calls from the watch was not allowed due to platform restrictions. There was also no integration with HealthKit directly for all data.
Are there any intermediate paths today? Yes. One prominent solution is Go, a third-party app that is installed on the Wear OS watch itself and allows you to pair it with an iPhone via Bluetooth without an additional app on the iPhone. With this method you can receive all notifications from the iPhone to the watch and accept and answer calls from the wrist on compatible models. It's an unofficial Google option for iOS, but does not violate Apple policies according to its own developer.
Wear OS models reported as compatible with iPhone via Merge:
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic
- Google Pixel Watch
- Google PixelWatch 2
- Fossil Gen 6 (includes Michael Kors, Skagen Falster Gen 6)
- Hublot Big Bang e Gen 3
- Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5
- Montblanc Summit
- TAG Heuer Connected Caliber E4
Important: even with Merge, there are common limitations such as the absence of Google Assistant on iOS and restrictions on responding to notifications from third-party apps. Additionally, each manufacturer can impose layers and own requirements, as happened with the Sony SmartWatch 3, so it is advisable to check the compatibility of your specific model before deciding.
If you are going to use the watch with Android, the standard process goes through the app Wear OS On your phone: Turn on your watch, open the app, tap Set Up, confirm the code that appears on both devices, and follow the steps until you see the Connected status. If you use multiple watches, you can do this from the app. add a new clock and switch between them. Steps may vary depending on the manufacturer and software version.
For those looking for almost universal compatibility, brands with their own platform such as Garmin They work with both iOS and Android with few limitations (on iPhone, due to Apple policy, you can't reply to messages from the watch). However, Galaxy Watch and Pixel Watch are not officially compatible with iPhone., and many Xiaomi or OnePlus models with Wear OS are Android-centric.
The real picture is this: if you have an iPhone and want maximum integration, Apple Watch remains the most complete optionIf you use Android, Wear OS offers the best of its ecosystem. And if you need a watch that survives phone changes, consider cross-platform or solutions like Merge knowing that, although expand compatibility, do not unlock all the advanced features by which iOS limitations.
