Yesterday, Google announced that Android Wear is now compatible with iOS. This does not come as a surprise, but is great news for iPhone users who previously only had access to the quite expensive Apple Watch. With the Moto 360 already starting at 149.00 this is a great way to use wearables with iOS. Android Wear works with the following devices: iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, 6, or 6 Plus running iOS 8.2+. In the following I’ll explain the most important topics about Android Wear and iOS. Please leave any questions in the comment section and I’ll make sure to answer them.
Table of Contents
Which Android Wear devices work with iOS
Officially, the amount of older Android Wear devices that work together with iOS is rather limited. However, in most cases a factory-reset will make older devices compatible with your iPhone. Confirmed devices working together with iOS are the following:
- Moto 360
- LG Watch Urbane
- Huawei Watch
- Asus ZenWatch 2
- Samsung Gear
According to Google, all future Android Wear devices will work together with iOS.
Which apps are supported by Android Wear on iOS?
At the moment, only Google apps work together with Android Wear on iOS. Unfortunately third-party iOS apps are not supported due to Apple’s restrictions. At the moment it’s the following apps:
- Google Maps
- Hangouts
- Google Fit
- Notifications
- Google Now (incl. voice commands)
- Third-party watch faces
Personally, I think these are the most important things that most people will need. Especially given the low-price of Android Wear devices this is already a great start. It will be interesting to see if this is something that can be fixed by jailbreaking.
How to setup Android Wear on iOS
- Download and start Android Wear iOS App
- Have your Android Wear device nearby, select language and accept terms and conditions
- Confirm pairing on your iPhone. Accept bluetooth sharing and notification access.
- No need to plug-in your Android Wear device to a power connection (it is recommended tough)
- Your iPhone will now update your Android Wear device
- You should now be in the tutorial screen. In the next steps you’ll be asked to accept all sorts of access rights (location, notification sharing, etc.). Accept all of those or you won’t be able to fully use your Android Wear device
- That’s it. You’re now able to customize your Android Wear device or change settings.
Here’s all that again in a video:
That’s everything you need to know to get started. Feel free to leave any questions below in the comment section.
You mention Notifications work. Does that mean all notifications enabled in the notifications list of the settings? e.g. Facebook, Mail, Skype, Messenger, Alien Blue, etc?