If you recently bought your first Google Pixel Watch, make the most of it by installing compatible apps. Many popular Play Store apps are available for Wear OS. If you haven’t familiarized yourself with your new smartwatch, you may be confused about installing them.
We walk you through the ways to install apps on your Pixel Watch. If you run into an issue installing an app, it may be worthresetting your Pixel Watch to clear any lingering software problems. And keep your smartwatch safe withone of our favorite Pixel Watch cases.
How to install apps on your Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2
You can install apps on your Pixel Watch through the smartwatch or your phone. Choosing one method doesn’t limit the apps you can install. However, we recommend installing apps via your phone as it’s easier than scrolling through apps on the Pixel Watch. It doesn’t matter whether you have a Pixel Watch or Pixel Watch 2. Installing apps is identical for both devices.
How to install apps on your Pixel Watch with your smartphone
Installing apps on your Pixel Watch from your smartphone involves using the mobile Play Store app. It’s like installing apps on your Android phone or tablet. However, there’s a nifty trick you can use to curate the Play Store to show only Wear OS-compatible apps.
TappingInstallwhile your Pixel Watch is disconnected from Wi-Fi or data places the app in an installation queue. When your Pixel Watch reconnects to the internet, the app download automatically starts.
Accessing the Play Store in this way only shows you Wear OS-compatible apps. You can download apps to your Pixel Watch by opening the Play Store directly, but you’ll scroll through non-compatible apps.
How to install apps on your Pixel Watch with your smartwatch
The Play Store is available on your Pixel Watch, so you don’t need your phone to install apps. While browsing apps this way is a little clumsy, it’s still useful when downloading a single app at a time.
Like accessing the Play Store through the Watch app, you may only browse Wear OS-compatible apps from the Wear OS Play Store app.
How to show tiles for new apps
Some Wear OS apps come with tiles, shortcuts that can be accessed from your Pixel Watch’s home screen. Using a tile means you don’t have to navigate through the Pixel Watch’s app drawer.
Many tiles need additional setup steps. After adding a tile to your Pixel Watch’s home screen, check the tile again to see if a prompt is waiting for you.
6 essential Google Pixel Watch features everyone should use
Here are a few of our current Pixel Watch faves
How to manage, update, and uninstall apps on your Pixel Watch
Your Pixel Watch automatically updates apps for you. However, if you want to check for updates manually, see how much storage apps take up, check app permissions, or uninstall apps, go into the app manager on your Pixel Watch.
While you can install apps to your Pixel Watch from your Android phone, you’ll uninstall them from the smartwatch. There isn’t a way to uninstall apps from your Android device.
Here, you’ll see the apps installed on your phone. Available updates are listed at the top, while up-to-date apps are arranged in alphabetical order below. Tap any app to uninstall, leave a review, or check permissions. TapSettingsinstead ofManage appsto turn auto-updating apps on or off.
What apps are available on the Pixel Watch?
Not every Android app is available for Wear OS, but if you have a favorite Android app, there’s an easy way to check if it’s Wear OS-compatible from your phone if you’re not scrolling through the Wear OS-exclusive section of the Play Store.
If your Pixel Watch doesn’t appear here, it’s unavailable for Wear OS. We recommend browsing the Play Store through the Watch app to eliminate the apps unavailable for your Pixel Watch. The tile walks you through any additional steps you need to make.
Wear OS has plenty of great compatible apps
The Pixel Watch fun doesn’t stop at installing apps. There areplenty of tips, tricks, and tweaks built into Wear OSthat can improve your experience without installing any apps. These include making contactless payments and finding your lost phone.
