Google is pulling the plug on its Google Weather app for Android phones and Wear OS smartwatches. The change hits non-Pixel Android users hard. It also affects new Wear OS 6 devices from brands like Samsung and OnePlus. Google wants people to use Search for weather on phones. On watches, it points to maker apps or third-party options. This shift started rolling out in recent months.
Key Takeaways
- Google Weather app won't work as a standalone for non-Pixel Android phones anymore; shortcuts now open Google Search.
- Wear OS 6 and newer smartwatches lose access to new Google Weather downloads.
- Pixel Watch owners get an automatic upgrade to Pixel Weather app.
- Older Wear OS 5 watches keep the app as is.
Background
Google launched its Weather app years ago as a simple way to check forecasts. On Android phones that aren't Pixels, it wasn't a full app. You added a shortcut from Google Search to your home screen. Tap it. See temperature, rain chances, and that little frog character peeking in the background. Froggy became a quiet star for many users. He showed up with sunny skies or storm clouds.
But updates came slow. The last big change hit in 2023. Pixel phones got their own Pixel Weather app in 2024. That left other Android users with the old shortcut. Wear OS smartwatches had a similar setup. Google offered its app to everyone. Samsung, OnePlus, Mobvoi watches all ran it alongside their own tools.
Wear OS powers most Android smartwatches. Version 6 runs on Android 16. It's the newest out there. Google built it for better battery life and smoother runs. But with it came this Weather shakeup. The company saw watch makers building solid apps. Why keep competing? Shift to Search on phones made sense too. Google Search gets constant tweaks. Weather cards there show hourly views, 10-day outlooks, wind speeds. All in one spot.
Reports of the change popped up in October 2025. Some users tapped their shortcut. Nothing. Or a note saying the page moved to Search. Google didn't announce it big. It rolled out quiet, server-side. By now, it's wider. And Wear OS users got word through community posts.
Key Details
The split is clear between devices. Let's break it down.
Android Phones
Non-Pixel phones lose the full Weather screen. Add the shortcut still. Tap it now. You land in Google Search. A big weather card greets you. Current temp up top. Hourly forecast right below. Scroll for 10 days. Tap any day for details. Precipitation, wind, humidity fold out. Air quality gets a graph. No more fullscreen frog view for most.
But not everyone sees it yet. Google pushes this backend. Some devices hold the old 'View all details' button. Tap that. Old app opens. Soon, gone. Pixel phones? They never used this. Pixel Weather stays put. Full app. Clean design.
"The weather page has moved. Your home screen shortcut now leads to Google Search." – Message seen by early users
Wear OS Smartwatches
Wear OS 6 kills new Google Weather installs. Play Store hides it. Third-party watches from Samsung or OnePlus can't grab it fresh. Had it before upgrade? Keep it. Runs fine. But Google says switch. Use your watch's app. Or download others from Play Store.
Pixel Watches differ. They auto-upgrade to Pixel Weather. New design. Material 3 style. Bold colors. Easy read at a glance. Tiles update with watch faces. Gemini or Assistant still answer voice asks for weather on Wear OS 3 and up.
Older watches on Wear OS 5 or below? No change. Download away. Google leaves them alone.
This ties to bigger Google moves. Like Google Launches Gemini 3.1 Pro with Top Benchmark Scores, where AI handles more queries. Or Rivian Rolls Out Sport Mode to All R1 Electric Vehicles, showing software shifts in tech. Weather fits the pattern. Less apps. More integrated tools.
What This Means
Android users check weather billions of times daily. Now, flow changes. Phone users hit Search more. Good for Google. Keeps eyes on ads, links. Search cards pack more data. Hourly rain odds. Pollen counts. UV index. Expandable. But some miss the simple frog screen. No clutter. Just forecast.
Smartwatch folks adapt too. Samsung's app shines on Galaxy Watches. OnePlus nails it on theirs. Google steps back. Lets brands lead. Pixel owners win big. Pixel Weather looks sharp. Matches phone version. Consistency counts.
Don't lose data. Saved locations carry over. Voice works same. Gemini says, "What's the forecast?" Answers fly. But habits shift. Homescreen shortcuts feel different. Watch complications update via new apps.
Rollout continues. Not all devices hit yet. Check yours. Tap shortcut. See Search? Change landed. Still old view? Wait. It's coming. Google eyes efficiency. Fewer apps to fix. Search handles load. Watch partners fill gaps.
Froggy? He sticks around in cards. Peeks from behind temps. Not gone. Just smaller role. Users grumble in forums. Others shrug. Search works fine. Daily check. Move on.
Third-party apps boom chance. AccuWeather, Weather Underground wait. Play Store sees picks. Watch space too. More options soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my Pixel phone lose Google Weather?
No. Pixel devices keep Pixel Weather app. It upgrades automatically on Wear OS too.
Can I still get weather on my Wear OS 6 watch?
Yes. Use your watch maker's app, third-party downloads, or ask Gemini/Assistant.
What if I have the old app installed already?
On phones, shortcuts redirect to Search over time. On Wear OS 6 watches, it stays if pre-installed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my Pixel phone lose Google Weather?
No. Pixel devices keep Pixel Weather app. It upgrades automatically on Wear OS too.
Can I still get weather on my Wear OS 6 watch?
Yes. Use your watch maker’s app, third-party downloads, or ask Gemini/Assistant.
What if I have the old app installed already?
On phones, shortcuts redirect to Search over time. On Wear OS 6 watches, it stays if pre-installed.
