Wear OS 5.1

In September, Google released the Wear OS 5 update for Pixel Watch users. However, the update was paused because some users experienced issues like soft bricking and the device getting stuck. In November, Google resumed the full rollout of the Wear OS 5 update.



Now, Google has officially revealed Wear OS 5.1, based on Android 15 (API level 35), and it’s available in the official emulator in Android Studio. This is the latest version of Wear OS, and if you’re developing apps for Wear OS, you’ll need to test your app on this new version to make sure it works correctly.

Wear OS 5.1 comes with some new features, including the Credential Manager for easier sign-ins and improved speaker playback for media. However, there are some changes to keep in mind, like the removal of Private Spaces and possible issues with back animations.



What’s New in Wear OS 5.1?

Wear OS 5.1 comes with some important changes and new features:

  • Credential Manager: This feature makes it easier to handle user sign-ins, supporting passwords, passkeys, and services like “Sign In with Google.” It also syncs credentials across your devices.
  • Watch Speaker Playback: If your app handles media, Wear OS 5.1 now supports playback through the watch’s speaker. Users can choose this speaker as their preferred audio output.

However, there are some behavior changes that affect how your app will run on Wear OS 5.1:

How to Test Your App on Wear OS 5.1:

To make sure your app works well with Wear OS 5.1, you’ll need to test it in an official emulator.

Here’s how to set it up:

Install the Latest Android Studio:

Download the Wear OS 5.1 System Image:

  • Open Android Studio.
  • Go to Tools > SDK Manager.
  • Under the SDK Platforms tab, find Android 15.0 (“VanillaIceCream”) and select the system
  • image for Wear OS 5.1 (choose either ARM 64 v8a or Intel x86_64).
  • Click OK to download and install the system image.

Create a Virtual Device:

  • Go to Tools > Device Manager and click on Create Virtual Device.
  • Select Wear OS and pick a hardware profile.
  • Choose the Wear OS 5.1 system image with API Level 35.
  • Click Finish to create the virtual device.

Run Your App:

  • In Android Studio, select your new virtual device.
  • Click Run to install your app on the emulator.
  • Test your app by navigating through its features and checking for any issues.

Known Issues with Wear OS 5.1 Emulator:

The emulator for Wear OS 5.1 has a few known issues that you should be aware of while testing:

  • You might not be able to add an account during the setup flow after a device reset.
  • When tapping on a notification, the app that sent it doesn’t always open right away; you may need to scroll.
  • Wear Health Services might sometimes fail to start an exercise.