Telegram is once again available on Wear OS. After a three-year absence from Google's wearable platform, the popular messaging service has released a new official Wear OS app for beta testers. Users enrolled in Telegram's beta program through the Google Play Store can now install the wearable version, which mirrors many of the full app's features and interface elements.
As first reported by SammyGuru, the new Telegram Wear OS app offers a familiar experience. It includes chat backgrounds, a condensed layout that makes navigating large group chats easier, and a prominent "Open on Phone" button to seamlessly switch between the wearable and the full mobile app. This design ensures users can keep conversations going without interruption.
Background: Telegram's history on Wear OS
Telegram originally launched a Wear OS app, but it was discontinued in 2021. That left users reliant on generic notification responses or third-party apps to interact with Telegram on their smartwatches. The decision to withdraw the app came as Telegram shifted focus to other platforms and features. During the same period, the Wear OS ecosystem underwent significant changes, including the merger with Samsung's Tizen and the introduction of Wear OS 3.
The absence of an official app was a notable gap, especially as competitors like WhatsApp, Messenger, and even Signal maintained or introduced wearable support. The new release signals Telegram's renewed interest in the wearable space, likely driven by the growing popularity of smartwatches and the expansion of Wear OS to devices beyond Samsung, such as the Google Pixel Watch and Fossil's Gen 6 watches.
Features and functionality
The new Wear OS app focuses on core messaging capabilities. Users can view recent chats, send messages using voice dictation or quick replies, and see full chat history. Large group chats are handled through a scrolling interface that condenses messages to save space. The "Open on Phone" button is a standout feature, allowing users to continue a conversation on their phone without losing context.
Beta testers report that the app performs well on both round and square watch faces, with adaptive UI elements. Notifications are fully interactive, enabling users to reply, mark as read, or dismiss conversations directly from the watch. The app also supports message reactions, though some advanced features like voice calls, file sharing, and animated stickers are not yet available.
How to get the app
To install the new Telegram Wear OS app, you need to be enrolled in Telegram's beta program. If you are already a beta tester, simply search for Telegram on the Play Store on your watch and look for the Wear OS version. If not, you can join the beta program by scrolling to the bottom of Telegram's Play Store page on your phone and tapping "Join" in the beta participation card. After enrolling, you may need to wait a few minutes for the update to propagate before the wearable app appears.
It's worth noting that the beta program is open to all users, but the wearable app is currently only compatible with devices running Wear OS 3 or later. This includes the Google Pixel Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch 4/5/6, and select models from Fossil, Mobvoi, and other manufacturers.
Implications for Wear OS users
Telegram's return is a significant addition to the Wear OS app ecosystem, which has historically lagged behind the Apple Watch in terms of app quality and quantity. With an official app, Telegram users no longer have to rely on third-party clients like WearOS Telegram or Telegram Watch, which often lacked stability and official support. The integration with the full app's features also means that users can expect updates and maintenance from Telegram's own development team.
Moreover, this move could encourage other messaging apps to improve their Wear OS offerings. WhatsApp, for example, only offers a limited companion app that relies on a phone connection, while Signal's wearable support is minimal. Telegram's full-featured approach sets a new standard for what users can expect from a messaging app on a smartwatch.
Technical aspects and performance
Early beta users on forums like Reddit and XDA have praised the app's smooth performance and low battery consumption. The app uses the watch's hardware efficiently, with background synchronization that updates messages without draining the battery. Chat loading times are fast, even for long conversations, and the UI responds well to touch gestures and bezel scrolling on Samsung watches.
One area that could see improvement is standalone functionality. Currently, the app requires the phone to be connected via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. There is no standalone mode for LTE watches that would allow messaging without a phone nearby. That limitation is common among most messaging apps on Wear OS, but Telegram's implementation is expected to evolve over time as Google further develops the platform's APIs.
Another aspect worth highlighting is the app's accessibility. The condensed layout for large groups includes collapsible sections and a clean reading mode that reduces clutter. Text-to-speech and voice input work reliably, making the app usable for quick replies during workouts or while driving (using voice commands). The app also supports multiple accounts, which is a feature Telegram users appreciate on the phone version.
Comparison with previous Wear OS app
The previous Telegram Wear OS app, discontinued in 2021, was based on an older API and lacked many modern features. It did not support chat backgrounds, had a more text-heavy interface, and was prone to crashes on newer watch models. The new version is built on the latest Jetpack Wear OS libraries, ensuring compatibility with current and future devices. It also takes advantage of Wear OS's tiles and complications, allowing users to pin conversations or quick actions to the watch face.
Another improvement is the integration with Telegram's own notification system. Unlike the old app, which sometimes delayed notifications, the new version uses real-time push notifications for instant message delivery. This is crucial for users who rely on the watch for timely updates.
Future outlook
As the beta progresses, Telegram is likely to add more features based on user feedback. Potential additions include voice message playback, animated emoji support, and maybe even the ability to initiate new conversations from the watch. The company has not announced a stable release date, but given the speed of development, a public rollout could happen within a few months.
In the broader context, Telegram's renewed focus on Wear OS aligns with its strategy of expanding to all major platforms. The app already runs on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, and web. Wear OS fills a notable gap, especially for users who prefer smartwatches over fitness bands or other wearables. With Telegram's strong privacy features—like secret chats, self-destructing messages, and end-to-end encryption for voice calls—the wearable app enhances the user experience without compromising security.
Telegram's return to Wear OS is also a win for Google, which has been trying to revitalize the platform with better health tracking, Google Assistant integration, and a richer app ecosystem. Having a major messaging app back on the platform could attract more users to Wear OS devices and encourage developers to create native apps.
For now, interested users should sign up for the beta program and give the app a try. Early impressions are overwhelmingly positive, and with Telegram's track record of rapid updates, the app is expected to improve quickly. The days of using third-party workarounds or simply ignoring messages on the wrist may soon be over for Telegram fans.
Source: Android Authority News