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WearOS iOS Compatibility Guide

WearOS and iPhone compatibility is extremely limited. Most modern WearOS watches don't support iOS at all, and those that do offer reduced functionality compared to Android. If you use an iPhone, Apple Watch remains the significantly better choice.


Compatible WearOS Watches

A small number of WearOS devices officially support iOS pairing.

  • Fossil Gen 6: Offers basic iOS support through the Wear OS by Google app. Functionality is limited compared to Android pairing.

  • Select TicWatch Models: Some older TicWatch devices support iOS, but notably the TicWatch Pro 5 is explicitly incompatible with iPhones.

  • Montblanc WearOS Devices: Premium Montblanc smartwatches running WearOS 3 maintain iOS compatibility.


Incompatible Devices

Most popular WearOS watches don't work with iPhone at all.

  • Samsung Galaxy Watch: All models (Watch 4 through Watch 8, Classic, and Ultra) require Android. Samsung's ecosystem integration means iOS support isn't available.

  • Google Pixel Watch: None of the Pixel Watch generations (1, 2, or 3) support iOS despite Google's cross-platform presence elsewhere.

  • OnePlus Watch: Both Watch 2 and Watch 3 are Android-only devices.

  • TicWatch Pro 5: Explicitly marked as not iOS-compatible unlike some older TicWatch models.


Functionality Limitations

Even compatible WearOS watches offer significantly reduced features with iPhone.

  • Missing Core Services: Google Wallet payments, Google Maps navigation, and Messages by Google don't work on iOS-paired watches.

  • Connection Reliability: WearOS watches struggle to maintain consistent Bluetooth connections with iPhones. Expect frequent disconnections and notification delays.

  • Voice Assistant: Google Assistant functionality is severely limited or unavailable when paired with iOS.

  • App Ecosystem: Many WearOS apps assume Android phone pairing and won't function correctly with iPhone.

  • Health Data: Syncing health data between WearOS watches and iOS health apps is problematic or impossible depending on the app.


Workaround Options

Third-party solutions attempt to bridge compatibility gaps.

  • Merge App: The Merge — Connect to iPhone app claims to provide notification sync and enhanced iPhone integration. Results vary by device and iOS version.

  • Limited Value: These workarounds rarely provide a seamless experience. Users consistently report frustration with reliability and missing features.


See Also: WearOS Cross-Manufacturer Compatibility|WearOS Alternatives Comparison|What is WearOS