Google has made a significant change to the Wear OS ecosystem by making its Clock app exclusive to the Pixel Watch lineup. The Clock app, which manages alarms and timers on Wear OS devices, will no longer be available through the Play Store on non-Pixel smartwatches.
The update was highlighted on Google’s Wear OS support page and first reported by 9to5Google.
What’s Changing:
- The Google Clock app will not appear in the Play Store for non-Pixel watches anymore.
- New installations are blocked on those devices.
- Existing installations will continue to function, but no updates or improvements will be delivered.
- Pixel Watch users will continue receiving regular Play Store updates and feature enhancements.
- This change follows a similar move last month, when Google made its Weather app Pixel Watch-exclusive.
Impact on Wear OS Owners
- For smartwatches like the Samsung Galaxy Watch, OnePlus Watch, and others:
- Users will have to rely on the manufacturer’s built-in clock app for alarms, timers, and watch face shortcuts.
- It is recommended to check alarm settings and watch face links to ensure they point to the correct app.
Why Google is Making This Change
Google says many smartwatch brands already provide their own apps for core functions. The company appears to be increasingly reserving certain Google apps and experiences for its Pixel Watch ecosystem.
What This Means for Wear OS:
- Wear OS is likely to feel less consistent across different brands.
- Key features such as weather, alarms, and timers may vary depending on the device.
- Non-Pixel users may miss out on updates, performance fixes, or new features.
- Advice for Non-Pixel Watch Users
- Ensure the manufacturer’s clock app is installed and set as default.
- Check routines, voice commands, and watch face shortcuts to avoid alarm failures.
- Avoid sideloading the Google Clock app — it will not receive updates and may cause issues.
Bottom Line:
Pixel Watch owners → No change; Google Clock updates continue.
Other Wear OS watch users → Shift to the brand’s own clock app, with Google’s version no longer supported or updated.
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