Google's Watch Face Format v4 Brings Photo Galleries and Marketplace API to Wear OS 6

Google has rolled out Watch Face Format v4 with Wear OS 6, offering developers new tools to create dynamic and personalized watch faces.

A standout feature is the Watch Face Push API, enabling developers to distribute watch faces through their own marketplaces. This API, compatible with Wear OS 6 and above, supports watch faces built using the Watch Face Format. Notable developers like Facer, TIMEFLIK, WatchMaker, Pujie, and Recreative have already begun integrating this API into their platforms.

Also read: Wear OS 6 Is Launched For Devs, Here’s What’s New in Google’s Smartwatch OS

Version 4 also introduces the Photos element, allowing users to set individual photos or photo galleries as their watch face backgrounds. Users can configure these through companion apps, choosing between automatic or tap-based transitions.

Additionally, developers can now implement animated transitions between ambient and interactive modes, enhancing the visual experience. These transitions are managed using the existing Variant tag within the Watch Face Format.

These updates aim to give developers greater creative freedom while giving users more customization options on their Wear OS devices.

In other headlines, Google also recently held its I/O event with several new announcements. You can read about them here.

• Google I/O 2025: Top 10 Highlights of Google’s New Announcements
• Wear OS 6 Is Launched For Devs, Here’s What’s New in Google’s Smartwatch OS