Google shows off a new Wear OS launcher along with a long-awaited task switcher

Wear Launcher Task Switcher
Wear Launcher Task Switcher (Image credit: Google)

What you need to know

  • Google's Wear OS platform is getting a recent apps switcher similar to what is on Android now.
  • Tiles on Wear OS are being expanded to more developers with better tools
  • The launcher on Wear looks like it's getting revamped with new indicators and ongoing activities.

Among all of the announcements at Google I/O, Wear OS had some of the biggest. From the platform being co-developed with Samsung to Samsung announcing it will be making a Wear watch, it was a big day for Google's wearable platform. In a separate video, Google announced more of what's new with Wear OS — and it looks good.

Some visual changes will mimic some of what we see from Android 12, along with changes to how navigating through the operating system will work. You will still be able to press the side button of your watch to access the app drawer, but from what was shown, it might look a bit different than it does now.

Wear Os 2021 Launcher Gif

Source: Chris Wedel/Android Central (Image credit: Source: Chris Wedel/Android Central)

Aside from the visual change to the icons in the drawer, if you have an app running in the background — a timer, for example — you'll see an indicator for it both on your home screen and at the top of your app drawer. Tapping on the home screen indicator or the running app at the top of your app list will take you back into that app. If you have multiple apps running in the background, you'll see both at the top of the app drawer.

Apps in the background are something that has been lacking from Wear OS since the beginning. This is partly due to the strain those apps would have on battery life, but hopefully, Samsung can help with that in the redesign of the OS. Now that you can have multiple apps running, a task switcher is on the way to make getting back to those apps easy.

Wear Os 2021 Task Switcher Gif

Source: Chris Wedel/Android Central (Image credit: Source: Chris Wedel/Android Central)

As we've had with Android phones for years now, a task switcher is just a swipe or press away. Allowing users to switch between apps quickly, and now that same idea is making its way to Wear OS smartwatches. By double pressing on the side button of the watch, you'll be able to bounce back and forth between your two most recent apps.

Wear OS fans should be excited about these changes making their way into the best Android smartwatches along with some new Wear OS apps. Not only has a visual change to Wear OS been sorely needed for years now, apps running in the background and a task switcher will make using smartwatches much more enjoyable.

Chris Wedel
Smart Home Writer
Chris Wedel is a fan of all things tech and gadgets. Living in rural Kansas with his wife and two young boys makes finding ways to get and stay online tricky. By utilizing his years of experience with the tech and mobile communications industries — success is assured. When not conquering connectivity challenges and testing new gadgets, he enjoys cruising a gravel road in his UTV with some good tunes.
Read more
A OnePlus Watch 3 with a fitness watch face on a pair of workout shoes
OnePlus set an interesting standard with Watch 3 and Wear OS 5
"Your watch is up to date: Android Version: 14; Android security update: November 5, 2024" on the Google Pixel Watch 3 held in the author's hand.
Wear OS 5: New features, One UI 6 Watch, & eligible watches
The hidden Developer options menu on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Wear OS 6: Eligible watches, One UI 7 Watch, Gemini, & more
Daily Readiness in Morning Brief on Pixel Watch 3 on wrist
What we expect from Wear OS smartwatches in 2025
The Overview multitasking UI on the Honor Magic V3
These are the best Android multitasking UIs, ranked
Changing a watch face on the Google Pixel Watch 3
All LTE Pixel Watches finally begin receiving Google's Wear OS 5.1 update
Latest in Wearables
The Moto 360 smartwatch worn on a wrist, showing an analog watch face.
Wear OS is still missing a major player, and now's the perfect time for a comeback
A lifestyle image showing off a prototype pair of smart glasses powered by Android XR
Samsung could be launching its smart glasses this year, giving Meta a tough fight
Updating the Pixel Watch 2
Wear OS 5.1 seems to be dragging down several Pixel Watch users with multiple bugs
The Garmin Fenix 8 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, both showing Run activity start screens.
Force Apple to make its Watch less exclusive, and the entire smartwatch industry changes
Android figures
Wear OS will eventually gobble up the market share, but watchOS will keep most of the profit
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Amazon's Big Spring Sale just started and the Galaxy Watch Ultra has ALREADY crashed to a record low price
Latest in News
The Google Maps logo at the Google Maps Street View Garage
Google Maps might predict more than just the traffic for you soon
Top Charts in the Play Store on the Galaxy S25 Ultra
Google Play Store will get more tools to protect users from scammy apps
Google Gemini Image Query on Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Gemini could soon allow you to upload multiple images in a single prompt
Google Maps on Android Auto
Gemini could soon replace Google Assistant in Android Auto 14.0
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 on cobblestone road
One UI 7 Beta 3 for the Galaxy Z Flip 6, Fold 6 brings two notable AI additions
Gemini 2.5 Pro graphics and benchmark results.
Gemini 2.5 Pro is Google's latest AI model with thinking and multimodality built-in