Google announces Wear OS 7

Alongside a series of new AI-focused announcements at I/O 2026, Google also announced Wear OS 7, the latest update to its wearable operating system. The software update carries over some of the design changes the company plans to introduce in Android 17, lays the foundation for new Gemini Intelligence features, and adds interface elements that display visible information in new ways.

The biggest of these additions is what Google calls Wear Widgets, an evolution of the information “tiles” that have been the bread and butter of the Wear OS experience for years at this point. Wear Widgets are designed to be more dynamic and customizable for developers, and accurately reflect what can be offered on smartphones. Widgets created by users with Google’s AI-powered Create My Widget tool will also be able to move to smartwatches.

Live Updates, Google’s system for displaying real-time information on the lock screen of Android phones, is also coming to Wear OS, along with a default workout tracker with built-in media controls that can be used in wearable fitness apps. Wear OS 7 will also have controls to decide which apps automatically launch the Wear OS media controls interface and a new remote output switch to change which headphones or speakers play the audio you’re streaming.

Critical to Google’s current focus on using Gemini for agentic AI experiences, Wear OS 7 includes several APIs that can be used by developers to connect their apps to Google’s Gemini Intelligence system. These include an AppFunctions API that can integrate app features and functions with Google’s Assistant, and support for the ability to invoke automation of tasks (like placing an order through a food delivery app, for example) right from your wrist.

Google plans to further detail Wear OS 7’s new features at I/O 2026. A test version of the operating system is also available to try now via the Wear OS 7 Canary emulator, ahead of its release later this year.