Wear OS 7 is based on Android 17 (API level 37). When you prepare your Wear OS
app for use on Wear OS 7, handle the system [behavior changes that affect all
apps in Android 17](https://developer.android.com/about/versions/17/behavior-changes-all), as well as the [changes for apps that target Android
17](https://developer.android.com/about/versions/17/behavior-changes-17).

Unless otherwise specified, the changes affect all apps that run on Wear OS 7 or
higher, regardless of target SDK version.

> [!CAUTION]
> **Caution:** Before you upload your app to the Play Store, [target Android 17](https://developer.android.com/training/wearables/versions/7/setup#update-target-sdk) and [configure an emulator](https://developer.android.com/training/wearables/get-started/creating#configure-emulator) to test your app.

The following underlying platform changes warrant particular focus when
targeting Wear OS 7:

## Background audio hardening

To ensure background audio interactions are started intentionally by the user,
Android 17 enforces restrictions on audio playback and focus requests. Apps
interacting with audio while in the background must run a foreground service
that is not of type [`SHORT_SERVICE`](https://developer.android.com/reference/android/content/pm/ServiceInfo#FOREGROUND_SERVICE_TYPE_SHORT_SERVICE). For apps targeting Android 17 (API
level 37), this foreground service must typically possess **while-in-use (WIU)**
capabilities.

For comprehensive details and mitigation strategies, see the guide on
[Background audio hardening](https://developer.android.com/about/versions/17/changes/bg-audio).

## Local network access permissions

Apps targeting Android 17 must declare the `ACCESS_LOCAL_NETWORK` runtime
permission to interact with devices on a local area network (LAN). This affects
Wear OS apps that communicate directly with smart home devices or casting
receivers over Wifi.

For more information, see the [Local network permission](https://developer.android.com/privacy-and-security/local-network-permission) documentation.