With the release of Wear OS 6 and Google’s updated Watch Face Format (WFF) requirements, changes to the Wear OS platform affect how watch faces function and install on supported devices. These changes are required to comply with Google’s latest platform policies and ensure long-term stability and security on Wear OS devices. Overall, the new format is accompanied by a new rendering engine that helps watch faces run more smoothly and efficiently, improving performance and battery life.
To support this transition, Facer developed a conversion process to migrate existing watch faces to the new format. However, some features could not be carried over because they are not supported in Google’s Watch Face Format
We understand this transition may cause confusion or inconvenience, and we want to clearly explain what’s changed, how it may affect you, and what support options are available.
Jump to a question:
After updating to Wear OS 6, my watch faces are unavailable. Why?
Why are features like weather, location, or phone battery no longer showing on my watch face?
Why can I only load one watch face to my device at a time?
Why can’t I preview a watch face before purchasing?
Why doesn’t the 3x tap face switcher work anymore?
Will I be able to continue to use Facer on my older device(s)?
What happened to my existing purchases?
I’m missing a lot of purchases. What are my options?
Frequently Asked Questions
After updating to Wear OS 6, my watch faces are unavailable. Why?
Google only supports their new Watch Face Format (WFF). As a result, Facer’s previous rich face format is no longer supported on the latest Wear OS update.
In some cases, legacy watch faces may be updated by their original creators to support Google’s new Watch Face Format (WFF). If you have a favorite watch face that is no longer available, you may choose to reach out directly to the watch face designer to ask whether an updated version is planned.
If a watch face appears to be available in the Facer app but it's not in your purchases, that's because the face was completely re-done by the designer resulting in a new entire face and the old face is still available for pre-Wear OS 6 watches.
★ Please note that updates are at the discretion of individual creators, and not all legacy watch faces will be migrated to the new format.
Why are features like weather, location, or phone battery no longer showing on my watch face?
The updated Watch Face Format does not support some complications/data and interactive elements, so watch faces that relied heavily on these features did not convert.
As a result, some watch faces may no longer be able to display information such as:
- Location-based data
- Phone battery status
- Sunrise/Sunset
This is a platform-level limitation introduced with Wear OS 6, and affected watch faces may require updates from their designers to restore supported features.
Why can I only load one watch face at a time?
With the transition to the updated Watch Face Format, watch face installation and management have changed. Only one Facer watch face can be pushed to the watch at a time due to platform limitations in Wear OS 6.
Why can’t I preview a watch face before purchasing?
With the transition to Watch Face Format, platform-level changes have affected how watch faces work on supported devices. Because of this, we’re not currently able to offer the same preview experience as before.
Why doesn’t the 3x tap face switcher work anymore?
The 3x tap menu for accessing recently synced faces is no longer available due to limitations of the current Watch Face Format.
Legacy Devices and Platform Support
Google is winding down support for legacy Wear OS devices, which affects how the Facer app can be installed and used. As a result:
- Users will only be able to install the Facer watch app on devices running Wear OS 6 or in the very near future.
- Users who already have the Facer watch app installed on a device running earlier versions of Wear OS may continue to use Facer thereafter, but new purchases will no longer be available on those devices.
This is a platform-level change controlled by Google and applies across the whole Wear OS ecosystem and other watch face marketplaces are not immune to this same situation.
In some cases, subscriptions renewed through the Facer website should continue to be accessible. However, for the best experience and full access to the latest features and watch faces, we strongly recommend updating your watch to the latest available version of Wear OS.
What This Means for Existing Purchases
- Previously purchased watch faces remain active in your account.
- Availability and functionality moving forward may vary depending on:
- Your Wear OS version.
- Watch manufacturer support and system software updates.
Support Options for Affected Purchases
We understand that these changes may impact customers who previously purchased watch faces that are no longer available or, in some cases, no longer function as expected.
👉 If you believe you are affected, we encourage you to contact Facer Support so the team can review your situation.
When contacting support, please include:
- Your Facer account email or ID
- Your watch model and Wear OS version
- The names of affected watch faces
- A description of the issue you’re experiencing
If you’re impacted by these changes, our Support team will be happy to review your situation and discuss available options.
In some cases, designers have released updated versions of their watch faces using the new format supported on Wear OS 6. When these updated versions are essentially the same watch face in a new format, we may be able to provide access depending on licensing and other considerations.
For users who previously purchased watch faces that are no longer available, we are exploring options that may include access to Facer Premium, allowing you to explore and try a wide selection of newer watch faces at no additional cost.
We understand this transition is frustrating. Watch faces purchased in the past were designed for the platform available at the time, and proceeds from those purchases were shared with designers and partners and supported ongoing development. With Wear OS 6, the platform has evolved, and not all older content is supported on newer devices. This transition is similar to moving between media formats, where content created for earlier technology may not always carry forward to newer systems.
Our goal is to support you through this transition and help you find the best experience available on the current platform. Thank you for your understanding and for being part of the Facer community.