No more Google Clock app on your smartwatch?
The Google Clock app on Wear OS has recently become unavailable for smartwatches from brands other than the Pixel Watch. Whereas previously you could also install the app on models from Samsung or OnePlus, for example, that option has now disappeared.
On Wear OS, the Clock app controls your alarms, timers and stopwatches. These are standard features that every smartwatch offers, but each manufacturer usually does this through its own app. On the Pixel Watch, this is done via the Google Clock app, while Samsung and OnePlus offer their own alternatives. Until recently, however, you could choose to use the Google version, by downloading it from the Play Store and replacing the default options.
Since early September, users have been reporting that the Clock app is suddenly no longer compatible with their watch. In the Play Store, the message 'This item is not compatible with your device' appears. This problem has been observed on the Galaxy Watch 7 and the OnePlus Watch 3, among others. Only the Pixel Watch is still listed as a supported device.
If you already have the app installed, it will continue to work as long as you don't uninstall it. If you do, or perform a reset, you will permanently lose access. Sideloading appears to work in some cases, but the alarm synchronisation does not function properly in doing so.
Interestingly, this limitation comes shortly after the introduction of the Material 3 Expressive update for Wear OS apps. Google itself has yet to provide an explanation. As a result, it is unclear whether this is a conscious decision or a temporary error.
The news does tie in with an earlier announcement: Google announced that with the arrival of Wear OS 6, it would no longer offer a weather app for smartwatches from brands other than the Pixel Watch. So it is possible that the Clock app change is part of a broader strategy.
Via 9to5Google
