It’s already known that Google’s Android TV and Google TV will require 64-bit app versions from August this year. Now, another platform is going the same path, Wear OS. Google has now officially announced that all new Wear OS apps and app updates on the Play Store must have a 64-bit version, in addition to the existing 32-bit version.
Google requires 64-bit apps for Wear OS
Starting from September 15th, 2026, all new Wear OS apps and app updates must have a 64-bit version as well. So there’s still some time for developers to make the required changes. The tech giant notes that Google Play will start blocking the upload of non-compliant apps after the deadline. Google notes that the “vast majority” of Wear OS developers have already made this shift, with 64-bit compliant apps already available.
Meanwhile, for smartwatches equipped with a 32-bit version of Wear OS, Google says that it’s not making any changes to its policy on 32-bit support. Google Play will “continue to deliver apps” to existing 32-bit devices. This is a fair consideration.
Will continue to deliver apps to existing 32-bit devices
The requirement of 64-bit app versions alongside 32-bit versions may change things forever. It may eventually lead to a 64-bit-only requirement. As a refresher, Google mandated 64-bit app versions for Android in 2019 before Android 14 switched to 64-bit-only architecture in 2024. So, it won’t be entirely surprising if Wear OS drops 32-bit support in the coming years.
For what it’s worth, Google claims that “64-bit architectures provide performance improvements and a foundation for future innovation.” This shift should also apparently improve security, as features like memory tagging extensions need a 64-bit platform. Also, a 64-bit system will allow smartwatches to use more than 4GB of RAM. This could be handy in the future.
