Wear OS is about to get a Gemini infusion with a simple app update

After Google confirmed it was happening back in March, we now have tangible evidence within the Wear OS Assistant app itself that Gemini is poised to take over as the primary voice assistant on your wrist. Thanks to an APK teardown of the latest Assistant app update for Wear OS (version 1.18.x) over at 9to5 Google, we’re getting a clearer picture of how this transition will look and function.

The code unearthed in the latest Wear OS Assistant update contains numerous strings explicitly referencing Gemini, solidifying the plans that first showed up back in January. Users can expect a notification alerting them to the change, stating plainly: “Gemini is now on your watch.”

Once it arrives, interacting with Gemini on your watch should feel familiar. The activation methods appear unchanged: users will still be able to long-press the side button or, if enabled, use the “Hey Google” hotword when the watch screen is active. An introductory message found in the APK teardown clarifies this, explaining, “You’re using Gemini on your phone and now it’s the assistant on your watch. To talk to Gemini, hold down the side button, or just say “Hey Google,” if you’ve turned on that setting.”

Functionally, the initial capabilities seem to mirror those of the current Google Assistant. The code strings confirm Gemini can handle core tasks like “set alarms and timers, message your contacts, and more.” What remains less clear is whether the more advanced, generative AI capabilities of Gemini – potentially including integrations with services like Gmail or Maps via Gemini Apps – will be available directly on the watch.

As with Gemini elsewhere, the standard disclaimer will be present, reminding users that “Gemini can make mistakes, including about people, so double-check it.” Furthermore, existing settings related to Location access and Voice Match appear to carry over, ensuring some continuity. The useful Wear OS Tile for pinning quick actions and the At a Glance complication also seem set to remain part of the experience.

The real questions are around timing. When will Google actually flip the switch and roll out Gemini to Wear OS devices? That still remains uncertain. It’s plausible Google could align the official launch with the release of a new flagship Wear OS smartwatch later this year, but for now, we’ll have to wait and see. The groundwork, however, is clearly being laid.