If you use a Wear OS smartwatch and appreciate custom watch faces, it’s time to prepare for a significant transition. Google has announced that support for legacy watch faces will officially end on January 14, 2026.
This is part of the company’s ongoing effort to implement its Watch Face Format (WFF) across all Wear OS devices. Launched in 2023, WFF provides a new approach to designing watch faces through XML templates.
Initially, both WFF and non-WFF designs coexisted on the Play Store. However, beginning in early 2025, Google started enforcing stricter guidelines.
Developers were prohibited from publishing new watch faces using the previous AndroidX or Wearable Support Library (WSL), although they could still update existing ones. Now, that grace period is about to conclude.
Starting January 2026, users will be unable to install legacy watch faces from the Play Store. Additionally, developers will no longer have the capability to update existing legacy watch faces.
Monetization features, including one-time purchases, in-app items, and subscriptions for older watch faces, will be disabled. While previous purchases will still function, auto-renewals will cease.
Developers who want to keep their watch faces available must migrate them to the Watch Face Format before the deadline. This transition applies to those using Watch Face Studio, who need to update to version 1.8.7 or later when resubmitting their watch faces.
WFF has notable advantages, such as improved efficiency and smoother animations due to its XML template basis. However, some users and developers feel it restricts creative possibilities, especially for complex or interactive designs.
Despite these concerns, Google aims to create a more consistent watch face experience across devices as Wear OS evolves. For users who favor older watch faces, it’s advisable to install them before the deadline.
Although installed designs will continue to function, they won’t receive updates or support, which makes timely action essential. This transition could mean losing favorite designs unless developers respond quickly.