Own a Pixel Watch but miss the apps from Samsung’s Galaxy Watch? Open-source developers have you covered — community ports bring several Galaxy Watch apps and watch faces to any Wear OS watch, including Google’s Pixel Watch.
Pixel Watch apps (Image via How-To Geek. Credits: How-To Geek)
Galaxy Watch Apps Ported to Pixel Watch by the Community
Since Galaxy Watches and Pixel Watches share the same Wear OS foundation and similar hardware, porting apps between them is surprisingly practical. Here are the most useful ports, based on reporting by How-To Geek’s Arol Wright.
Samsung’s Compass app is the first standout. It uses the watch’s sensors to show which direction you’re facing, presented in Samsung’s familiar UI style. For Pixel Watch owners coming from a Galaxy Watch, it’s a quick way to keep the app you’re used to. One catch: the watch needs a compass sensor, so check your model’s specs first.
The Gallery port is arguably the most useful of all. Google doesn’t include a gallery app or file explorer on the Pixel Watch — Samsung does on the Galaxy Watch. If you want to view photos on your wrist, or use watch faces that display a picture, a native viewer is a genuine convenience that Google left on the table.
How to Install: Sideloading With ADB
These are unofficial ports, so they don’t come from the Play Store. Installing them means sideloading: turn on developer options on your watch, connect it to a computer over ADB, and push the APK across. It’s straightforward if you’ve used command-line tools before, but there’s no support from Google or Samsung — you’re on your own if something breaks.
Word of caution: some ports may not work perfectly, or at all, depending on how old the build is and whether it’s been updated for your Wear OS version. A port that works today could break in a future update.
One More Thing: Water Lock
Among the ports worth trying is Samsung’s water lock function — handy for swimmers who want to disable the touchscreen during laps. Given Pixel Watch owners already have a water-drop toggle built in, it’s a reminder of how much community ports overlap with Google’s own features.
The target audience here is clear: people wearing non-Samsung Wear OS watches who like what Samsung ships. Galaxy owners already have the originals, and some features are lost in the porting process anyway. But for Pixel Watch users who made the switch — or just want the best of both worlds — these community ports are worth a look.
Also Read: The Pixel Watch’s Water Drop Toggle Is More Useful Than You Think
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Source: How-To Geek — read the full story there.
