Impatient users sideload Gemini onto Wear OS watches ahead of official rollout

Google is preparing to replace its Assistant with the more advanced Gemini AI across Wear OS smartwatches, but impatient users aren’t waiting for the official rollout. Instead, they’re taking matters into their own hands by sideloading Gemini directly onto their devices—a technical workaround that bypasses Google’s staged deployment.

This development comes as Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 series becomes the first consumer smartwatches to ship with Gemini pre-installed. While Google has confirmed that Gemini will eventually reach all Wear OS devices running version 4 or later, including its own Pixel Watch models, no specific timeline has been announced for the broader rollout.

For users already comfortable with Gemini on their smartphones, the prospect of maintaining separate AI assistants across devices feels unnecessarily fragmented. Rather than wait for an official update that could take months, tech-savvy users have discovered they can manually install Gemini using a process called sideloading.

Understanding the sideloading process

Sideloading refers to installing applications outside of official app stores—in this case, bypassing the Google Play Store to install Gemini directly onto a smartwatch. This process requires downloading an APK file, which is essentially the installation package for Android applications, from third-party sources like APKMirror, a trusted repository for Android software.

The process involves several technical steps that go beyond typical app installation. Users must first enable developer options on their smartwatch, allow installation from unknown sources, and then transfer the APK file to their device. While this might sound straightforward to smartphone users familiar with sideloading, the process becomes more complex on smartwatches due to their limited interfaces and smaller screens.

Reddit user eliasacab documented their successful installation process, providing a roadmap that other users have since followed. The procedure requires connecting the smartwatch to a computer, using Android debugging tools, and manually pushing the APK file to the device’s storage.

Device compatibility and user experiences

Early adopters report mixed but generally positive results across different smartwatch models. Users have successfully installed Gemini on devices including the Fossil Gen 6, OnePlus Watch 3, and various Pixel Watch models. These successes suggest that the underlying Wear OS platform provides sufficient compatibility for Gemini to function properly, even without official optimization.

However, not all devices are responding equally well to the sideloading approach. Some TicWatch Pro 5 users have encountered installation failures or performance issues, highlighting the inherent risks of bypassing official software distribution channels. These compatibility variations likely stem from manufacturer-specific customizations to the Wear OS platform or differences in hardware capabilities.

The functionality appears largely intact for successful installations, with users reporting that Gemini responds to voice commands, provides contextual information, and integrates with other Google services much as it does on smartphones. This suggests that Google has designed Gemini for Wear OS to be relatively self-contained, without requiring extensive system-level integration.

Practical considerations for early adopters

Users considering sideloading should weigh several factors before proceeding. First, the process requires technical comfort with Android development tools and command-line interfaces. While detailed guides exist online, the multi-step process can be intimidating for users without prior sideloading experience.

Security represents another important consideration. Sideloading requires enabling developer options and allowing installation from unknown sources, which temporarily reduces the device’s security posture. Users must also trust that APK files from third-party sources haven’t been modified or compromised, making source selection crucial.

Performance and stability may also differ from official installations. Since these APK files aren’t optimized for specific device configurations, users might experience battery drain, crashes, or other issues that wouldn’t occur with official releases. Additionally, sideloaded applications typically don’t receive automatic updates, requiring manual intervention for future versions.

The broader context of Wear OS evolution

This sideloading trend reflects broader frustrations with the pace of smartwatch software updates. Unlike smartphones, which receive regular feature updates and security patches, smartwatches often wait months or years for significant new capabilities. The eagerness to access Gemini highlights how users increasingly expect their wearable devices to match the sophistication of their smartphones.

Google’s decision to launch Gemini on Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 first, rather than its own Pixel Watch series, illustrates the complex partnerships that shape Android ecosystem rollouts. This approach allows Google to test Gemini’s performance on third-party hardware while Samsung benefits from exclusive early access to attract customers.

The successful sideloading efforts also suggest that Google has designed Gemini for Wear OS with broad compatibility in mind. Rather than requiring extensive device-specific optimization, the software appears to work reasonably well across different manufacturers’ implementations of Wear OS.

Looking ahead

For users comfortable with technical procedures and willing to accept potential risks, sideloading offers immediate access to Gemini’s enhanced capabilities. However, most users will likely prefer waiting for official updates that ensure proper optimization, security, and ongoing support.

The timeline for broader Gemini rollout remains unclear, but Google’s confirmation that all Wear OS 4+ devices will eventually receive the update provides reassurance for patient users. As more manufacturers adopt Gemini and Google refines the software based on early feedback, the official release should offer a more polished experience than current sideloading solutions provide.

This situation exemplifies the tension between user demand for cutting-edge features and the careful, staged rollouts that ensure software quality and security. While sideloading provides a bridge for early adopters, it also underscores the importance of more timely official updates in the competitive smartwatch market.