Google has reportedly started testing its upcoming Wear OS 5.1, an operating system for Android-based wearables, including smartwatches. The latest test builds have been spotted on the Pixel Watch 2, suggesting that this new version of Wear OS could be based on Android 15, a significant departure from previous trends.
Wear OS 5.1: What We Know So Far
According to a report by Android Authority, Wear OS 5.1 may be the first Wear OS version to be based on the latest Android 15, breaking the pattern of Wear OS versions being based on the Android version from the previous year. For instance, Wear OS 3 was based on 2022’s Android 13, and the recently released Wear OS 5, which debuted with the Galaxy Watch 7 in July, was built on Android 14. If Wear OS 5.1 is indeed launched, it would mark the first interim point update in two years, with the last being Wear OS 3.5, released in October 2022.
While the moniker Wear OS 5.1 isn’t official yet and could change before its release, the test builds reportedly have identifiers starting with “AP4A.” Unfortunately, there is no detailed information about the new features or an official release timeline for this update.
New Watch Face Format and Compatibility
Google has made it clear with Wear OS 5 that watch faces developed without using the Watch Face Format (WFF) will no longer be supported on the Google Play Store. While users of smartwatches running Wear OS 2 or later will still have access to existing non-WFF watch faces, these won’t be compatible with Wear OS 5-powered devices if users choose to upgrade. Additionally, some watch faces may no longer be available for download on the platform.
