What Can You Do With an Android Smartwatch?

Smartwatches have evolved a lot since their inception. What started as relatively simple fitness trackers have evolved into powerful mini-computers we can wear on our wrists. 

Android smartwatches, in particular, pack a surprising amount of functionality into a tiny package, thanks to Google’s Wear OS platform.

From tracking your health and fitness to making payments, listening to music, and much more, they’ve become less of a novelty and more of a necessity for many users.

If you’re wondering what can you do with an Android smartwatch beyond just telling the time, read on! 

In this post, I have highlighted 12 fun and helpful things you can do with your Android smartwatch.

What Can You Do With an Android Smartwatch? 

Android smartwatches have evolved from simple timekeeping devices into one of the most popular types of wearable technology with the capabilities of a mini-computer. 

Here are some of the main things you can do with an Android smartwatch that makes these handy gadgets a must-have!

1 – Check Time & Weather Forecasts

One of the most basic functions of any watch is telling time. Android smartwatches display the time prominently and dynamically on their faces. 

Additionally, you can also customize watch faces (more on this below) to show additional helpful information like weather forecasts, temperature, your next calendar event, battery level, and more. This keeps important details visible right on your wrist.

2 – Customize Your Watch Face

Wear OS gives you tons of options to personalize how your smartwatch display looks. You can choose from pre-loaded faces or download new ones from the Google Play store. 

That means, not only can you select different watch face designs, but you can also tweak various elements and color schemes of your watch face as per your preference. 

Plus, some faces even let you add your own photos. But if you’re still not happy, there are countless third-party apps and websites that offer a vast collection of unique watch faces and even allow you to change your watch’s appearance.

3 – Connect to Wi-Fi

Your Android smartwatch isn’t just a secondary screen for your phone; it’s a mini-computer on its own! 

Many Android smartwatches now come with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity through which you can access the internet. 

If your Android smartwatch has Wi-Fi connectivity, you can check your emails and social media, and even stay connected without your phone nearby. 

4 – Download Apps

Yes, you heard it right! Your Android smartwatch is not just limited to the apps it comes with; you can download apps on your smartwatch from the Google Play Store. 

Whether you want to track your fitness, manage your calendar, check the latest news updates, or even play games – there’s an app for that! 

The best part? – These apps sync seamlessly with your smartphone and create a seamless digital ecosystem right on your wrist.

5 – Listen to Spotify

Another best thing you can do on your Android smartwatch is play Spotify on the go. 

You simply have to pair your smartwatch with Bluetooth headphones or speakers and you can easily play music and listen to your favorite podcasts during your run or workout sessions.

Furthermore, you can also download playlists for offline listening directly through the Spotify Wear OS app. The Spotify app also gives you control over playback and volume right on your wrist.

6 – Make & Answer Phone Calls

Thanks to embedded microphones and speakers, you can make phone calls and answer incoming calls directly on your Android smartwatch. 

This can be done via two methods. You either have to pair your smartwatch to your smartphone via Bluetooth, or you have to insert a SIM card if your watch supports it.

The calling experience is surprisingly natural with decent audio quality. Furthermore, the dialer app displays contacts and recent calls to dial out easily. When receiving a call, you can answer on your smartwatch or transfer it to your phone.

7 – Send & Reply to Text Messages

Messaging from your wrist is another popular smartwatch feature. Android watches allow you to send text messages directly on your watch face. You can view message notifications, read full messages, and tap out thoughtful replies or quick canned responses.

Compared to smartphones, replying to messages from your Anrdoid smartwatch is much more subtle and convenient, especially in meetings or social settings. Plus, the Wear OS makes keeping up with conversations on the go effortless.

8 – Monitor Your Heart Rate

Most Android smartwatches come equipped with heart rate sensors on the backside. This allows them to take continuous, real-time heart rate readings throughout the day or during workouts. 

Best part? – You can easily add heart rate analytics on your watch face for at-a-glance monitoring.

This lets you view current heart rate data, resting/active heart rate trends, and even send alerts to help you better understand your health and fitness. 

Additionally, heart rate tracking also improves calorie burn accuracy during your exercise sessions.

9 – Keep Track of Your Fitness Activities

Speaking of exercise, Android smartwatches are great fitness companions. They can count steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, and activity time. 

Most Android smartwatches come equipped with built-in apps like Google Fit to provide exercise tracking for runs, bikes, swims, and more. 

In addition, you can also install popular third-party apps like Strava, Endomondo, and MyFitnessPal to take your activity monitoring to the next level with detailed workout statistics and training plans. 

10 – Measure Sleep Quality

Sleep is crucial for our well-being, and your Android smartwatch can help you get a better understanding of your sleep patterns. 

Simply wear your watch to bed, and let the magic happen. With advanced sensors, it can monitor your sleep duration and the quality of your slumber.

When you wake up, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of your sleep stages, including light sleep, deep sleep, and even REM sleep. 

These insights can help you identify any sleep issues and enable you to make adjustments to improve your overall sleep quality.

11 – Utilize Navigation

Smartwatches can also facilitate navigation using their GPS sensors. You can use Google Maps directly on your watch to get turn-by-turn driving directions. For walking, you can install apps like Komoot that provide detailed walking/biking routes and voice prompts.

Whether you’re exploring a new city or just trying to find your way around town, the built-in navigation in the Android smartwatch has got your back!

With an Android smartwatch, You don’t have to constantly pull out your phone to check directions. The smartwatch can discreetly vibrate to indicate upcoming turns, so you can keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.

12 – Make Online Payments

Lastly, Android smartwatches allow you to make seamless contactless payments thanks to built-in NFC chips. 

Simply add your credit or debit cards to your watch’s digital wallet, and you’re all set. The next time you need to pay for something, just hold your watch near the payment terminal, and voilà! You’ve made a contactless payment. 

Speaking from personal experience, the convenience of paying from your wrist definitely makes the smartwatches worthwhile, especially for grabbing a coffee or snack on the go.

Final Note

So, there you have it! These are the 12 incredible fun and helpful things you can do with an Android smartwatch. 

As we’ve learned, Android smartwatches are incredibly versatile tools that make staying productive, informed, connected, and entertained easier than ever. 

While smartwatches will never fully replace smartphones, they are excellent companions that enhance and extend your phone’s capabilities in thoughtful ways.

So if you’re considering adding an Android smartwatch, you can clearly see there are lots of compelling reasons to take the plunge.