Google Play Store will now show warnings on Wear OS watch face listings that could be potential battery eaters. These include ones with constant phone interactions and lots of animations.
The feature comes courtesy of the latest Play Store version 47.7 update (via Android Authority). It will show warning messages on the watch face apps available for Wear OS.
"With this update, you can now find warning messages on detail pages for watch face apps that drain battery," the update reads.
Like wallpapers, some watch faces are heavier lifts than others, with efficient designs, especially those featuring more animations, live data, or constantly updating your phone. Those features can be big drains on your battery.
Up to now, other than careful reading or experimentation, there was no clear way to know whether or not you were downloading a vampire. The new update gives you a way to know and make smarter choices while seeking out flashy new watch faces.
I have a Galaxy Watch Ultra that I like, which is running Wear OS 6. The update wasn't available yet for my watch.
Google rollouts can take a few days to hit most people. So, if you're also not seeing watch face warnings, give it a day or two for the update to hit your phone or watch.
Still, once it does go live, it's a welcome feature that will help maintain battery life on your smart watch.
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