In recent months, we saw that Google was working a little more intensively on the Wear OS platform. No wonder, in the end, we got the first original Pixel Watch, which uses all the benefits of this system. However, it seems that in addition to the redefined graphic design of the application, the manufacturer has started to cut itself off from the older version of Wear OS 2.
Maps and Keep are not available on Wear OS 2
On the Reddit platform, one user noticed that Keep Notes has just stopped being available on Wear OS 2 smartwatches. Such a step is somewhat understandable, but also unfortunate. Only a few smartwatches run Wear OS 3 - the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 5, Fossil Gen 6, and Pixel Watch. It's a pity that Google cuts itself off from this system in such a way, which, let's be honest, is the core of all smart watches operating on the Google system.
At the same time, it is clear that this is not a coincidence, but a planned strategy. As noted by the editors of 9to5Google, a similar fate befell Google Maps - this application can only be installed on the latest version of Wear OS 3. It is worth noting that this change should not affect users who already have the above applications installed. They will remain on the device until you uninstall them or restore the smartwatch to factory settings.
What can you do about it?
If someone uses a smartwatch still operating under Wear OS 2 and would like to use applications that are no longer available, they basically do not have much choice. Inaccessible applications can be manually installed on the device with an APK file and using ADB debugging - however, you have to stretch yourself and for many, it will be insurmountable.
.webp "Google Maps and Keep Notes are no longer available on Wear OS 2 watches")
An alternative is to use the Wear OS Apps Repository - a repository of applications withdrawn or not developed by developers. More information on how to use it and what benefits and dangers it entails can be found on Reddit - remember, however, that this is not an official tool, but a project developed by the community.
One thing is certain, applications that will become unavailable for the older version of the system will only come. So we can only hope that the manufacturers of smartwatches will get to work and finally offer users an appropriate update to the Wear OS 3 version - many of them have committed to it, but despite the passing months, there are still no effects.