Android Watch Apps
1. Facer
Instead of buying a single watch face every time, you should check out Facer. It is home to 15000 different watches in one, you can choose from brands like Tetris, Garfield, Star Trek, and many more. You can also find original designs made by independent watchmakers which would surely give you an authentic look. You can dip your hands and create your own custom watch faces and upload to the app.
Install Facer (free)
2. Unified Remote
Unified Remote is an all-in-one remote control app for your computer. It is technically a smartphone app but it also offers Wear OS extension which lets you control apps like VLC, Spotify, Chrome, KODI, YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, etc. You also get basic mouse control right on the watch which you can use to control other functions on the computer. The app works with Windows, Mac, and Linux, you can use it control presentation apps like Powerpoint, Keynote, and Google Presentation. Unified Remote is free on the Play Store but Wear OS works only on the full version which you can get for $3.99.
Install Unified Remote ($3.99)
3. Calculator
Surprising there is no calculator app for Android watch. But you can always sideload the Google Calculator app. It has a basic calculator with your additions and subtractions, it also comes with a few advanced functions like trigonometric functions, factorials, log, pi, e, etc. Just don’t use it to cheat on your next surprise math test.
Install Calculator (free)
4. Audio Recorder
Most Android Wear OS Watches including Ticwatch E comes with an inbuilt mic and a speaker which makes it suitable to take audio notes. With this app, you can record audio using the onboard mic and use it to take lecture notes, record conversations, and even set reminders to yourself. You can listen to the audio recordings on the smartwatch itself and delete from the app with ease. To make things even easier, it comes with a companion app for the smartphone which you can install all the recordings to your phone. It works like magic.
Install Audio Recorder (free)
5. Compass Level
Thanks to inbuilt motion sensors and magnetometers, you can use your Android Watch as a digital surface level, and a digital compass respectively. If you ever need to measure the flatness of a surface, you can just turn the app on and put it on the surface to measure the angle. The app comes with a digital compass as well which you can use to position your furniture, find your way on your next hiking trip, etc. It is a handy tool to have on your Android Watch.
Install Compass Level (free)
6. Keep Notes
Keep Notes is the official note-keeping app from Google and it has a couple of features that make it a default choice for most users. For example, you can take notes, add reminders, and lists by either voice, typing, or drawing. The app syncs the notes from the phone to the smartwatch and vice vera which makes it super easy to find and review your notes at one place. On the Android Watch, you can take notes either by voice or typing, add lists and view existing notes from your Phone. You should give this app a try whenever you’re going for grocery shopping next. Read: Best Keep Notes Alternatives
Install Keep Notes (free)
7. NavBooks
NavBooks is one of the best apps if you love Audiobooks. This app lets you play your offline audiobooks right from the Android Watch. I know the tiny speaker won’t offer much clarity in a loud gym but you can connect the watch with your Bluetooth headphones. You can sync the files to the watch with a companion app on the phone with just a tap. You can adjust the playback speed, skip, set a sleep timer, and add bookmarks to your audiobooks. The app is available for $0.99 on the Play Store. Read: Best Non-fiction AudioBooks
Install NavBooks ($0.99)
8. Messenger
Facebook Messenger is one of the most versatile messenger apps in terms of features. You can play games to kill time, chat with friends, exchange pleasantries over voice and video calls, etc. However, the Messenger app for the Android Watch lets you read unread messages and reply to the chats by either voice or keyboard. Apart from that, there isn’t much you can do on the Watch version of the messenger.
Install Messenger (free)
9. Google Maps
Google Maps is the app for navigation on Android, no other apps come even close. Much like any other app by Google is available for Android Watch and the maps app is very useful. You can use it as a standalone app to look for nearby places like ATMs and restrooms when you forget your phone in the car or you can use it to navigate where you can’t always hold your phone. To enable the navigation, just set a route on your phone and start the navigation, it will automatically start it on the watch. Neat.
Install Google Maps (free)
10. Strava
Whether you’re going for a run, riding a bike, or swimming, Strava is one app that you’ll need to track all of these activities. Strava lets you track the distance, swim pace, cycle speed, elevation gained, and calories burned. You can record your routes and share it with the app so that others can know which routes to take. You can also join the clubs and take part in community activities. Strava is the perfect app if you’re into biking, swimming, or running. Strava is free on the Play Store. Read: Best Running Apps to track your running on Android
Install Starva (free)
11. Seven- 7 Minute Workout
I get it, you’re busy and can’t get a gym membership due to your odd schedule, however, if you can find out spare seven minutes then I have an app for you. Seven is a quick workout app which aims to offer exercises which only last seven minutes. You choose routines among full body, power cardio, freestyle, etc. It has workout plans which can help you lose weight with detailed instructions. Seven is free on the Play Store.
Install Seven (free)
12. Shazam
Shazam is the leading app in music recognition, it has been around for a long time and has improved its algorithm so much that it can sometimes accurately identify a song within a couple of seconds. Now, most of you must have this app on your phone but if you’re using an Android Watch then you can just install it on the watch and identify songs without reaching out into your pocket. It works just like the phone app, you simply, tap the Shazam button on the watch and it starts identifying and automatically updates the song to the phone app. It’s awesome.
Install Shazam (free)
13. WearCodes
I did not find this app, the app found me. I was at a party and I saw a guy with his wristwatch lit and displaying a QR code, this sparked my interest and a small google search led me to it. Turns out it is a super handy app when you want to carry some information but don’t want to spell it out or take out your phone to give out those details to someone. The app lets you upload any data in the form of a QR code from your phone to the Watch. It can be your contact card, a URL, Ticket, Wifi details, etc. All the QR codes can be saved on the Watch and you can toggle between the codes anytime. The app is free and gives you one QR code but you can unlock the full app with a one time purchase of the app for $1.99.
Install Wear Codes (free)
14. Pixtocam (move it up)
Pixtocam makes your Android Watch a digital viewfinder for times when you just can’t hold the phone at all times. This comes in handy when you’re playing with your kids and want some candid shots or when you’re with a group of friends and don’t want that over the head selfie with your hand sticking out the side. You can switch between picture and video modes, switch cameras, zoom in and out, adjust flash, etc. You can get this app on the Play Store for $1.99.
Install Pixtocam ($1.99)
15. Lefty
Some Android Watches like my Ticwatch E are meant only for the left hand. I being a left-handed person, it always bummed me out that I couldn’t wear the watch on the right hand without it feeling and looking weird. Fortunately Lefty lets you do that and inverts the entire user interface so that you can wear the Ticwatch comfortably on the right hand. The only downside to this method is that it increases battery consumption significantly. If you’re okay with that then go for it.
Install Lefty (free)
16. Spotify
Listen to your favorite tracks on the watch or use the watch to control the tracks on any device with this app.
Install Spotify (free)
Best Wear OS Apps
Okay, so these were my picks for the best apps for your Android smartwatch. Some are more popular than the others and some are hidden gems which makes your Android Watch super useful. Which app is your favorite in the list or is there an app that we missed which you would like to see? Tell us in the comments below.
