‘Wear OS watches get a backup: that’s how it works’

Google will provide smartwatches with Wear OS with a backup function, according to information in the code of Google Play Services. Watches can save your watch faces and app data in the cloud, among other things.

Wear OS backups

Backups are extremely useful when you set up a new phone, because this way you can get started with all your apps and settings on your new device relatively easily. Now that smartwatches have gotten a lot smarter in the last year, it’s also getting more interesting to back up your watch. We have known since August that Google is working on such a feature, but now more details about the backups are also known.

The information comes from the code of Google Play Services and we now know what data can be kept. Wear OS backups include your app data, your watch settings, your watch faces, and the tiles you use. In the case of the watch faces, even the settings of personalized watch faces can be part of the backup. We also know about the settings that Wi-Fi passwords and permissions are also included.

Manage backups

In fact, you can set up a new watch without it taking much time. The backups work via Google One cloud storage, just like with phones. Importantly, updates are ‘opt-in’, meaning you have to enable them manually, but backups will be automatic after that.

You will be able to manage your backups through the Settings app on your watch and the companion app on your phone. In the latter case, it is probably not the Wear OS app, but the own app that the manufacturer of your watch offers. It has recently become mandatory for manufacturers to release an accompanying Android app for their smartwatch.

Finally, more has also been leaked about the Google Wallet app for Wear OS. This will contain information about your boarding pass, flight details and events for which you have tickets. Information had already been leaked about it. What do you think of these improvements for smartwatches? Let us know in the comments.