Build apps for the wrist
with Wear OS
Write apps that help users live more present, healthy, and productive lives with Wear OS. With major improvements to the core experience and big changes to the platform, there’s a lot to be excited about.
Smartwatch use is increasing
As more people use smartwatches, there are more opportunities to feature your apps on smaller screens.
Keep your app top of mind
Building notifications, glanceable complications, and Tiles enables your users to easily get things done with your app and find the information they need.
Build on Modern Android
Easily integrate the latest of Android development methods, with new Jetpack APIs and tools to streamline your development.
Getting Started
Create Your First Wearable App
Get your first Wear OS app up and running with this step-by-step tutorial.
Principles of Wear OS Development
Learn about the fundamentals of Wear OS app design by understanding how complications, Tiles, and overlays fit together.
Thinking Like a Wear OS Developer
Learn about the key differences between Wear OS and mobile app development.
New Features
Compose for Wear OS
Compose for Wear OS is now available! Design your app with familiar UI components adapted for the watch. Compose for Wear OS is in developer preview, with new samples and documentation to help you get started. Try it out and share your feedback!
Tiles
Tiles give users fast, predictable access to the information and actions they rely on most. We’ve now opened up Tiles for developers to bring the most relevant information from their apps directly into the carousel.
Watch Face Studio
Watch Face Studio is a tool developed by Samsung that allows you to create watch face designs using intuitive graphic tools and without needing to code. The watch faces can be used on devices that run on Wear OS API level 28 and higher, regardless of manufacturer.
Featured resources
Learn more about Wear OS concepts.
Wear OS Guides
Wear OS User Interfaces
Discover the building blocks of a great app by learning how the different Wear OS user interfaces work together.
Wear OS Guides
Create an Overlay
An overlay can be accessed from the majority of app surfaces, such as complications, Tiles, ongoing activity indicators, and the launcher.
Wear OS Guides
Create a Tile
With a quick swipe from the watch face, users can scroll through their Tiles to see information and actions from their favorite services.
Wear OS Guides
Create a Complication
Learn how to supply text, images, and more directly to the user’s watch face.
Wear OS Design Guidelines
Material design for Wear OS helps you design engaging user experiences. We’ve revamped the user experience for Wear to be more intuitive, personal, and fluid. The updated design guidelines for Wear OS covers the Wear OS design systems, UI components, UX patterns, and styles.