Wearable devices
Smartwatch app development for Wear OS and watchOS
A smartwatch app is not a shrunken phone app: the screen is tiny, the battery is limited and the operating system decides what may stay active. I am Gaetano Racioppa, Software Engineer: I develop applications for wearable devices for companies that want to bring information, notifications and sensor data to the wrist, for example for people who work in the field and cannot use a smartphone.
I take care of the watch app, the companion app when there is one and the connection with the backend, and I check in advance what the device really allows.
The critical aspects of a wearable app
Battery
Frequent sensor readings and continuous connections reduce battery life: frequency and mode must be designed.
Operating system limits
Wear OS and watchOS restrict background execution: not everything that is possible on a phone is possible on the wrist.
Sensors and permissions
Heart rate, movement and location require explicit permissions and their accuracy varies from model to model.
Essential interface
Little information, readable at a glance, and interactions completed in a few seconds.
What development includes
- Feasibility analysis of sensors, battery life and limits of the chosen device
- Native Wear OS development in Kotlin for smartwatches such as Samsung Galaxy Watch
- watchOS development in Swift for Apple Watch, after checking the requirements
- Companion phone app when needed
- Authentication and data synchronisation with the backend through APIs
- Notifications and handling of operation without a connection
- Testing on real devices and distribution through the stores or enterprise channels
Technologies and how I choose them
On smartwatches native development is the most reliable choice: Kotlin for Wear OS and Swift for watchOS give direct access to sensors, notifications and power management. The two platforms therefore require two distinct applications, while the backend and server-side logic stay shared.
I do not promise continuous monitoring or certified safety functions without having verified their feasibility: what a watch can guarantee depends on the model, the operating system version and the specific requirements of the project.
Experience
I have developed native Wear OS applications in Kotlin for Samsung smartwatches in a business context, with authentication, synchronisation with a backend through APIs and use of the device sensors. For watchOS I assess each project starting from an analysis of what Apple’s APIs allow compared with the requirements.
How I work
- 01
First conversation
A call to understand goals, users, constraints and what already exists.
- 02
Estimate and scope
We define features and priorities together; the estimate is based on the agreed scope.
- 03
Iterative development
Intermediate, verifiable releases, so you can see and try the product as it takes shape.
- 04
Testing and quality
Automated tests and checks on real devices and environments before every release.
- 05
Release
Store publication or go-live, following a repeatable procedure.
- 06
Maintenance and evolution
Fixes, updates and new features after the first release.
Frequently asked questions
Do I also need a phone app?
Not always. A smartwatch app can work on its own, connecting directly to the backend. A companion phone app is useful for the initial setup or for functions that need a larger screen.
Does the same app run on Galaxy Watch and Apple Watch?
No. Wear OS and watchOS are different platforms and require two native applications. Backend, APIs and flow design can however be shared.
Can a smartwatch monitor its sensors continuously?
It depends on the device, the operating system and the battery life required. The systems restrict background execution to preserve the battery: the reading frequency actually achievable must be verified with tests on the device.
How is the app distributed?
Through Google Play and the App Store or, for internal apps, through the enterprise distribution channels provided by the two platforms.
Related pages
Let’s talk about your smartwatch app
Tell me which device you want to use, which data you need and who will wear the watch.