Wearables and Companion App Considerations
Smartwatches and other wearables let your app reach users on their wrist with glanceable information and quick actions. A companion app extends your main app onto these devices, but it is not simply a smaller copy.
Wearables have tiny screens, limited battery and very different interaction patterns, so they need their own thoughtful design.
A Different Kind of Screen
A smartwatch is not a tiny phone. Its screen is measured in millimetres, its battery is small, and people glance at it for seconds rather than settling in to browse. A companion app that simply shrinks your phone interface will frustrate users. Designing for the wrist means rethinking what truly belongs there: short, timely, glanceable information and a tap or two of action at most.
What Works on a Wearable
- Quick glances: time-sensitive, at-a-glance information.
- Simple actions: a tap or two, not complex forms.
- Notifications that are useful on the wrist.
- Health and fitness data where relevant.
Deciding Whether You Need One
A companion app is worth building only if it adds real, wrist-appropriate value. We help you judge whether your users would genuinely benefit, rather than building one simply because it is possible.
If you need a hand with any of this, your Progressive Robot delivery team is ready to help. Raise a ticket from the Support area of your client portal or speak to your account manager and we will guide you through the next steps.