Samsung’s upcoming One UI 6.5 Watch update could introduce a highly practical feature for Galaxy Watch users, which is Always On Display (AOD) support for all apps. As of now, only a handful of apps, such as Google Maps and Spotify, remain visible when the watch is idle. However, with Wear OS 5.1, Google has rolled out a method to force AOD on any app. Even if it doesn’t officially support the feature.
Wear OS 5.1-based One UI 6.5 Watch update will force AOD on all apps
Google recently began rolling out Wear OS 5.1, based on Android 15, for Pixel Watch 2 and Watch 3 devices. One of the standout features of this update is the “Force Global AOD Experience” found in Developer Options, as 9to5Google reports. When enabled, this setting makes sure that apps stay visible on the screen instead of fading into the background when the watch is not actively in use.
Credits: 9to5Google
To activate this feature on a Wear OS 5.1 watch, navigate to Settings > System > About > Versions and tap the Build number multiple times to unlock Developer Options. Once unlocked, you can toggle on Force Global AOD Experience within Developer Options.
While Wear OS 5.1 is currently available for Google’s Pixel Watches, Samsung has yet to release it for Galaxy Watches. However, AOD feature could land with the One UI 6.5 Watch update. That’ll likely start rolling out in the coming months. Alongside AOD improvements, Wear OS 5.1 also introduces Credentials Manager and the ability to play media through the smartwatch’s speaker. For Galaxy Watch users, this means they may soon be able to keep their favorite apps front and center at all times.
