Google has announced that it will discontinue its legacy Weather app for smartwatches running Wear OS 6 and newer versions. This decision comes as part of a broader strategy to streamline offerings, given that many smartwatch manufacturers provide their own weather applications.
Transitioning to New Options
With the rollout of Wear OS 6, which is based on Android 16, users are encouraged to explore third-party weather applications available on the platform or utilize the default weather services provided by their respective watch brands. In a community announcement, Google clarified that while the built-in Weather app will no longer be available for new installations, those who had previously downloaded the app on devices running Wear OS 5 or older will still have access to it through the Play Store.
For users of third-party smartwatches, such as those from Samsung, OnePlus, and Mobvoi, the existing Weather app will be removed from the Play Store. However, if the app was installed prior to the upgrade to Wear OS 6, users can continue to utilize it without interruption.
Pixel Watch Users to Experience a Seamless Upgrade
In a notable exception, owners of the Pixel Watch will automatically receive an upgrade to the new Pixel Weather app when transitioning to Wear OS 6 or any future versions. This new app, designed with Google’s Material 3 Expressive design, retains a familiar layout while enhancing the user experience. Users will not need to take any additional steps to access this upgraded feature.
Additionally, Google reminds users that they can still request weather updates via Gemini or Google Assistant on devices running Wear OS 3 and above, ensuring that weather information remains easily accessible across various platforms.
