Latest news with #watchfaces
Phone Arena
01-07-2025
- Phone Arena
New Galaxy Watch 8 series leak reveals Samsung's most customizable faces yet
According to a recent APK teardown of the Galaxy Watch 7 Manager app, several unreleased watch face assets were uncovered, offering an early look at the designs Samsung is preparing for its next-generation smartwatches. While APK teardowns don't always guarantee final features, the visuals found in this instance closely match those from recently leaked Galaxy Watch 8 promotional renders, making it likely these designs are heading to production. The leak includes seven watch faces, each with a name and, in most cases, Samsung's own descriptive text. Here's the full list so far: Minimal Analog Minimal Digital Sporty Classic Heritage Classic Interactive Number Gradient Info Board Circle Info Board Leaked watch faces in this order: Minimal Analog, Minimal Digital, Sporty Classic, Heritage Classic, Interactive Number, Gradient Info Board, and Circle Info Board. | Images credit — Android Authority Each design presents a different use case or aesthetic. For example, the "Minimal Analog" and "Minimal Digital" watch faces stick to simple, uncluttered layouts. The "Sporty Classic" and "Heritage Classic" are likely aimed at users who prefer traditional styling, while the "Interactive Number" face adds a more playful touch. The two "Info Board" faces — one with a circular layout and the other with a gradient — appear to prioritize data at a glance. Samsung is expected to reveal the Galaxy Watch 8 series during its Unpacked keynote in New York next week. Past leaks have already hinted at updates to the hardware, including a redesigned squircle chassis for the Watch Ultra variant. Combined with these newly discovered watch faces, the Galaxy Watch lineup is shaping up to get both visual and functional upgrades. While it's always possible that not all features uncovered in software teardowns make it to final release, the presence of these faces in official app resources suggests a high likelihood they will be part of the Galaxy Watch 8 's software at launch. However, with less than a week to go, we won't have to wait long to confirm what's coming. And if this leak is any indication, Samsung is giving users more ways to make their smartwatch feel personal right from the start. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
The Verge
13-06-2025
- The Verge
Posted Jun 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM EDT
Google is moving on even more from legacy Wear OS watch faces. Developers are already barred from publishing new AndroidX or Wearable Support Library on the Play Store, and starting January 14th, 2026, users will no longer be able to install new legacy watch faces, nor will developers be able to publish updates for them, Google says.
Phone Arena
12-06-2025
- Phone Arena
If your favorite Android watch face disappears next year, this might be why
Google introduced WFF back in 2023 as a new way to design watch faces using XML templates. Since then, it has allowed both WFF and non-WFF designs to exist on the Play Store. But starting in early 2025, Google began tightening the rules. Developers could no longer publish new watch faces using the older AndroidX or Wearable Support Library (WSL), although updates were still allowed. That grace period is now coming to an end. Here's what will happen in January 2026: Users won't be able to install legacy watch faces from the Play Store. Developers won't be able to update existing legacy watch faces. Monetization features like one-time purchases, in-app items, and subscriptions will no longer be available for these older watch faces. Existing purchases will continue to work, but auto-renewals will stop. Examples of Wear OS watch faces using the Watch Face Format (WFF). | Image credit — Google Google says that any developers who want to keep their watch faces available must migrate them to the Watch Face Format before the deadline. This includes developers who use Watch Face Studio, who will need to update to version 1.8.7 or later when resubmitting. WFF brings some clear benefits. Because it's based on XML templates, it helps watch faces run more efficiently, uses less power, and keeps animations smoother. But it's not without downsides. Some users and developers feel the new format limits creative options, especially for more complex or interactive designs. Still, this change has been coming for a while. Google's goal is to make the watch face experience more consistent across devices, which could be helpful as Wear OS continues to expand. Compared to Apple's limited watch face options and Samsung's increasing focus on AI-based designs, Google is trying to strike a balance between openness and stability. That said, users who prefer older watch faces should install them before the cutoff. While already-installed designs will continue to work, they may not receive updates or support going forward, so — you have been warned. For some, this shift could mean saying goodbye to their favorite designs unless developers act in time, so time is of the essence.
Android Authority
21-05-2025
- Android Authority
Wear OS 5 killed Facer watchfaces, but Wear OS 6 will bring them back to life
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority TL;DR Facer announced it will be returning to Wear OS devices this fall. Wear OS 6 will support compatibility with the app's custom watch faces in Watch Face Format. The updated Facer experience will include more than 500,000 faces, instant syncing, and a versatile pricing structure. In the wake of Google I/O 2025, long-running watch face customization platform Facer has announced a major update. With a revamped app, Facer watch faces will make a full return to Wear OS smartwatches. Alongside Wear OS 6, the app's update aims to resolve compatibility issues introduced by Google's Watch Face Format transition in 2024. When Google launched Wear OS 5 and made Watch Face Format mandatory, it left users without access to long-favored custom watch face apps like Facer, WatchMaker, and many more. As of today, users can expect the return of at least one of these apps: Wear OS 6 will offer expanded support for third-party watch faces, including a full Facer experience. The loaded custom watch face platform promises more than 500,000 watch faces, with the most popular options ready by this fall. Thanks to Google's new Watch Face Push feature, the platform will also offer instant syncing via the Facer app, eliminating the need for users to download separate apps from the Play Store. Meanwhile, Facer will also offer simplified pricing for its customizable designs. Watch faces will be available for free, through one-time purchases, or via a full-access subscription. According to Google, Wear OS 6 will roll out this fall, and Facer says it will share more details as the launch approaches. In addition, the company teased upcoming features, new brand partnerships, and launch promotions. Users can sign up for updates at Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Phone Arena
20-05-2025
- Phone Arena
Facer is making a big comeback with Wear OS 6. Here's what's changing.
Facer is getting ready for a big return. The popular watch face platform just announced a major update that will roll out later this year, timed with the launch of Wear OS 6. As we recently covered, Google is bringing new tools and performance upgrades to smartwatches with Wear OS 6. Facer plans to take full advantage of these changes to bring back fan-favorite features and introduce a smoother, more powerful experience. Facer for Wear OS 6 announcement. | Image credit — Facer Here's a quick look at what to expect once the update goes live: A massive catalog of watch faces: Facer says thousands of faces will be ready for Wear OS 6, using Google's new Watch Face Format. The goal is to bring back nearly all the most popular designs by this fall. Right now, the platform includes over 500,000 watch faces from top brands and independent creators. Facer says thousands of faces will be ready for Wear OS 6, using Google's new Watch Face Format. The goal is to bring back nearly all the most popular designs by this fall. Right now, the platform includes over 500,000 watch faces from top brands and independent creators. Flexible pricing options: Whether you like trying out free faces, buying a few premium ones, or going for a full subscription, Facer will support it. Everything will be built into the Facer app, so you won't need to install separate apps for each face. Whether you like trying out free faces, buying a few premium ones, or going for a full subscription, Facer will support it. Everything will be built into the Facer app, so you won't need to install separate apps for each face. Instant syncing: Wear OS 6 adds a new feature called Watch Face Push, which lets you send faces straight to your watch from the Facer app. No more opening the Play Store or downloading extras. Wear OS 6 adds a new feature called Watch Face Push, which lets you send faces straight to your watch from the Facer app. No more opening the Play Store or downloading extras. Even more to come: Facer says new features, brand partnerships, and special discounts are on the way. You can sign up at to stay in the loop. Wear OS 6 is expected to roll out later this year. It will be available on new smartwatches and some older models that get the upgrade. Facer will share more updates once watch brands confirm their release plans. With big updates coming from both Google and Facer, smartwatch users can look forward to a much better experience in 2025.
