While the Apple Watch offers seamless integration with your iPhone, you might opt for an Android Wear smartwatch for various reasons. Perhaps you find the Apple Watch overpriced or prefer a round design. Android Wear provides a range of options to suit your preferences. The challenge lies in pairing an Android Wear watch with an iPhone. Luckily, Android Wear supports iOS 8.2+, ensuring compatibility with the latest iPhone operating system. Here’s a guide to effortlessly set up and utilize an Android Wear device with your iPhone:
Pairing Android Wear and iPhone
First, pair your Android Wear smartwatch with your iPhone. This facilitates data exchange and enables your iPhone to push notifications to your watch. The process is straightforward, requiring only the Android Wear app.
- Download the Android Wear app from the App Store and launch it. Tap the arrow button to initiate pairing.
- Swipe left on your watch to select your preferred language and agree to the Motorola Privacy Policy.
- On your iPhone, grant the permissions requested by the Android Wear app. You’ll then encounter a screen displaying your watch code. Tap your watch code.
- The Android Wear app attempts to pair with your iPhone. A prompt appears on your phone for device pairing. Verify the pairing code on your watch, and if it matches, proceed with the pairing.
- The Android Wear app starts syncing all apps and data to your watch. This process typically takes some time, so please be patient.
Once complete, your watch is linked to your iPhone, and you’ll start receiving notifications and alerts on your smartwatch.
Android Wear with iPhone: The Experience
- Paired with an Android device, notifications are actionable—you can reply to WhatsApp messages directly from your wrist, utilizing predefined responses. Conversely, iOS limits notifications to receiving only, lacking interactive functionality.
- With an Android Wear smartwatch and an Android device, access the Play Store for smartwatch apps. Conversely, pairing with an iPhone prohibits app installation on the Android Wear smartwatch.
- While you can take screenshots of your Android smartwatch paired with an Android device, it’s impossible if paired with an iPhone. The Android Wear app on iOS lacks the screenshot option.
- For developers or those planning to develop for an Android Wear smartwatch, you must use a watch connectable via USB to your computer. Watches like the Moto 360 lack USB connectivity and rely solely on Bluetooth ADB for development. However, this method isn’t viable when paired with an iOS device, as the iOS app doesn’t facilitate forwarding a Bluetooth debugging port to the Android smartwatch, unlike the Android app.
Installing Third-Party Apps on Android Wear via iPhone
In the previous section, I highlighted the limitation of installing apps on your Android Wear device when paired with an iPhone. While accurate, there exists a workaround for installing third-party apps on your Android Wear smartwatch.
- Asus Zenwatch
- Asus Zenwatch 2
- Asus Zenwatch 3
- Huawei Watch
- LG Watch Urbane
- LG Watch R
- LG Watch W100
- Sony SmartWatch 3
This method sidesteps the necessity of app installation via the iPhone and directly loads apps onto the watch. Follow these steps:
Preparing the Smartwatch
- First, go to Settings on your smartwatch, and then navigate to “About”.
- Here, tap on “Build number” repeatedly until you see a message saying “You are now a developer”. This will activate the developer mode menu in the smartwatch.
- Tap on “Developer Options” in your smartwatch’s “Settings”. Here, you will find an option called “ADB Debugging”. Enable it by tapping on it. Your watch may request confirmation, simply accept it.
- Now, connect your smartwatch directly to the computer using a USB cable. For watches like the LG G Watch R, you can connect the dock to your computer, enabling both charging and data transfer.
Unfortunately, if you’re using a Moto 360 watch like mine, this method won’t work. Special interface cables may enable it, but I haven’t tested any, so use them at your discretion.
Installing the App on your Android Wear Smartwatch
- With the source code for your desired app, launch Android Studio (free) on your Mac or PC. Select “Open an existing project“, then the downloaded folder. Wait for Android Studio to open it.
- Once the project opens, click the “Run” button (play icon), and pick your Android Wear smartwatch from the available devices.
Once installed, access the app from your watch by navigating to the app drawer on your Android Wear smartwatch.
Setting Up and Using Your Android Smartwatch with iOS
Now, armed with the knowledge of pairing your Android Wear smartwatch with an iPhone, dive into utilizing it with your iOS device. Utilize the method outlined in this article to incorporate open-source third-party apps onto your smartwatch. Feel free to share any alternative, simpler approaches for directly installing third-party apps on an Android Wear smartwatch tethered to an iPhone in the comments section.
Pritam Chopra is a seasoned IT professional and a passionate blogger hailing from the dynamic realm of technology. With an insatiable curiosity for all things tech-related, Pritam has dedicated himself to exploring and unraveling the intricacies of the digital world.
