How to Sideload Apps on Your Samsung Galaxy Watch or Wear OS Smartwatch
If you are an owner of a Samsung Galaxy Watch or Wear OS smartwatch, you may have noticed that not all apps are available on the official app store. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t still use them. By sideloading apps onto your smartwatch, you can access applications that are not available on the app store. Here is how you can sideload apps on your Samsung Galaxy Watch or Wear OS smartwatch.
Firstly, you need to enable developer mode on your smartwatch. This will grant you access to the ADB debugging tools that are required for sideloading apps. To enable developer mode, go to the settings on your watch and scroll down to “system.” From there, tap on “about” and then tap on the build number seven times. This will enable developer mode on your smartwatch.
Next, you will need to download and install the ADB tools on your computer. These tools will help you connect your smartwatch to your computer and transfer files. You can find the ADB tools by searching for them online or downloading them from the official Android developers website.
Once you have downloaded and installed the ADB tools, you will need to connect your smartwatch to your computer. To do this, you will need a USB cable. Connect one end of the cable to your computer and the other end to your smartwatch. Your smartwatch and computer should automatically recognize the connection.
Now that your smartwatch is connected to your computer, you can begin sideloading apps. First, find the app you want to sideload on your smartwatch and download it onto your computer. Then, navigate to the folder where you have saved the app and open up the command prompt or terminal window.
In the command prompt or terminal window, type in “adb devices” to check if your smartwatch is connected to your computer. If it is, the name of your smartwatch should appear. If it doesn’t, try disconnecting and reconnecting your smartwatch to your computer.
After confirming that your smartwatch is connected to your computer, type in “adb install” and then drag and drop the app file into the window. The command should now look something like this: “adb install C:\Downloads\MyApp.apk.” Press enter on your keyboard to initiate the installation process.
Once the installation is complete, you should be able to access the newly sideloaded app on your smartwatch. If the app doesn’t work or isn’t compatible with your smartwatch, you can simply uninstall it by going to the settings on your watch and selecting “apps.”
In conclusion, sideloading apps on your Samsung Galaxy Watch or Wear OS smartwatch can be a helpful way to access apps that are not available on the official app store. By following these simple steps, you can easily sideload apps onto your smartwatch and enjoy new features and functions.