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A Guide to the WearOS User Interface Elements

WearOS organizes information through tiles, quick settings, the app drawer, and notifications. Understanding these core UI elements helps you navigate efficiently and customize your watch experience.

Tiles​

Full-screen panels providing quick access to information and app shortcuts.

  • What Tiles Do: Tiles display glanceable information like weather, fitness stats, calendar events, or music controls. Swipe right from your watch face to browse through your configured tiles.

  • Adding Tiles: Swipe to the end of your tile carousel and tap the + icon. Select from available tiles including fitness, weather, timer, smart home, and third-party app tiles.

  • Removing Tiles: Long-press any tile and swipe up to remove it from your carousel.

  • Reordering Tiles: Long-press a tile and drag it left or right to change its position. Place frequently used tiles closer to your watch face for faster access.

Quick Settings Panel​

Fast access to essential device toggles and settings.

  • Accessing Quick Settings: Swipe down from any screen to reveal the quick settings panel.

  • Standard Toggles: WiFi, Bluetooth, Do Not Disturb, Theater Mode, Battery Saver, Airplane Mode, Flashlight, and Find My Phone are commonly available.

  • Customizing Quick Settings: Some manufacturers allow reordering toggles through their companion app. Look for quick settings customization in the watch's settings or companion app.

  • Navigating Options: Swipe left within the quick settings panel to see additional toggles beyond the first screen.

App Drawer​

Access all installed apps from a central location.

  • Opening the App Drawer: Press the crown or home button to open the app drawer showing all installed apps.

  • Grid vs List View: Toggle between visual grid view and vertical list view depending on your preference. Look for a view toggle button within the app drawer.

  • Finding Apps: Scroll through your apps or use voice command Hey Google, open [app name] for faster access. Recently used apps may appear at the top.

  • App Organization: Apps typically sort alphabetically. Some watches allow pinning frequently used apps to the top.

Notification Cards​

Incoming alerts and messages displayed as interactive cards.

  • Notification Types: WearOS supports actionable notifications (with reply/action buttons), expandable notifications (tap for full content), and grouped notifications (multiple alerts from one app).

  • Accessing Notifications: Swipe up from your watch face to see all current notifications.

  • Notification Interactions: Tap a notification to open its full content and available actions. Swipe right to dismiss individual notifications. Scroll to the bottom and tap Clear all to dismiss everything.

  • Long-Press Options: Long-press a notification for additional options like muting that app's notifications.

See Also: WearOS Interface Navigation Guide|WearOS Customization Guide|WearOS Screen Management Guide

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