It took me a while to figure out what to do with my first Wear OS smartwatch when I received one for free with my Pixel 7 Pro in 2022.
I don’t exercise intensively, and I have my phone for checking the time. Still, determined to make the most of my stylish new hardware, I spent months searching for the perfect apps for my device.
Three years later, I’m still rocking my Pixel Watch (although I’m considering an upgrade), and I’ve settled on a core group of apps I can’t use my smartwatch without. These apps come in useful every day. I always notice the loss when I don’t have my smartwatch with me.
As I use most of these apps to help with everyday problems, I believe they can also help you, regardless of which version of Wear OS you use. Let’s dive in.
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A good note-taking app is crucial for a smartwatch
It’s what I use my smartwatch for the most
The first thing I did when exploring Wear OS apps was to look for a good note-taking app. I eventually settled on not one, but two apps. Google Keep and Bring.
Google Keep is fantastic for two reasons.
Firstly, I can take quick voice notes without pulling my phone out of my pocket. I’ll often use it in the middle of a conversation when I’m being reminded or informed of an upcoming event. In a couple of taps, I can enter the reminder without a break in conversation.
Secondly, I often put my phone down while walking around my house. Having reminders sent to my smartwatch means I’ll never miss them.
While Keep fills a lot of use cases, I don’t use it for creating shopping lists. That honor goes to Bring, which is the best shopping list app on Android. The Wear OS app is just as easy and fun to use, so I can tick off groceries even if my hands are juggling ingredients in the shop.
I’ve now mostly stopped using Bring on my phone, as the Wear OS app does everything I need.
Apps that come in clutch at a moment’s notice
Some apps are indispensable
There are plenty of accurate weather tracking apps out there, but they can’t help you if you don’t check them.
Rain Alarm isn’t a stylish app that will win any UI awards, but it’s saved me from getting wet numerous times. When set up, it sends you a notification when rain is approaching your area.
Like all weather apps, it’s not 100% accurate, but it tends to exaggerate the danger of rain, which is far better than the alternative! I wish the app were easier to read, but I’ll forgive it all for the reliability of its notifications.
While of far less consequence, the second app I pull out daily is Coin Toss. Tap the app, and it flips a coin. Beyond letting you pick a coin, that’s all it does. In short, the perfect app, simple and effective.
Add it to your Wear OS home screen, so you can flip a coin with a swipe and a tap.
Finally, I’ll briefly mention Infinity Loop. This straightforward game is perfectly suited for a smartwatch display and is perfect for filling up a few minutes here and there.
I’ve tested countless games on Watch OS, but the limitations of a smartwatch display mean that most are boring or awkward. Infinity Loop is the perfect companion.
Break the artificial walls of Wear OS’ customizations
Turn your smartwatch into your own device
Wear OS has never sold me on its UI. While I’m aware of the limitations of a smartwatch, I’ve always found the experience clunky, regardless of how many updates my Pixel Watch receives.
I changed how I organize my Pixel Watch countless times, but I’ve settled on a relatively stable setup thanks to two apps, Tile Launcher and Complications Suite.
Tile Launcher is an app launcher that lives on your smartwatch’s home screen. I find the motion of swiping left then tapping the launcher far more user-friendly than Wear OS’ default way of opening apps, and the customizability is unparalleled.
My only gripe is that setting up the app is a tedious, frustrating process that involves frequent accidental taps and actions. However, now I’ve set up the app to my liking, I haven’t gone back to the default app launcher.
Complications Suite adds a colossal number of complication choices. Complications Suite includes a countdown to a custom date or time, dice roller, water intake reminder, and volume control. It feels like one of those apps that should be preinstalled on WearOS devices.
Many of the options I’ll never use (Why would I need a shortcut to developer settings?), but many more battle for supremacy on my home screen.
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A Wear OS smartwatch isn’t a gimmick
It took me a long time to jump on board the Wear OS train. The only reason I own one is that it was free with a new phone. However, it’s since become an indispensable companion to me.
There are many more apps you may find more useful than my choices, but my advice would be not to find an app to make your smartwatch replace your phone, but complement it.
