Wear OS is a wearable platform, helping people live more present, healthy, and
productive lives. Wear OS makes smartwatches into glanceable, standalone
devices, so users can stay connected online and complete tasks quickly, while
leaving mobile devices in their pockets.

Keep the following design principles in mind when developing for Wear OS.

## Design for critical tasks


Focus on one or two tasks rather than a full app experience.  
![](https://developer.android.com/static/wear/images/design/critical-tasks.png)

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## Optimize for the wrist


Help people complete tasks on the watch within seconds to avoid ergonomic
discomfort or arm fatigue.  
![](https://developer.android.com/static/wear/images/design/optimize-for-wrist.png)

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## Glanceable surfaces


Apps on Wear OS are displayed across multiple surfaces designed around how
people interact with the watch, the primary surfaces being complications and
tiles.  
![](https://developer.android.com/static/wear/images/design/glanceable-surfaces.png)

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## Always relevant


The watch is always with the user. Consider how to update your app content for
people's context, such as their time, place, and activity.  
![](https://developer.android.com/static/wear/images/design/always-relevant.png)

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## Works offline


Design for slow connections and offline use cases, such as exercising and
commuting.  
![](https://developer.android.com/static/wear/images/design/works-offline.png)

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