{"id":17857,"date":"2017-05-02T14:51:26","date_gmt":"2017-05-02T18:51:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/?p=17857"},"modified":"2025-08-13T16:47:44","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T20:47:44","slug":"major-apps-abandoning-apple-watch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mjtsai.com\/blog\/2017\/05\/02\/major-apps-abandoning-apple-watch\/","title":{"rendered":"Major Apps Abandoning Apple Watch"},"content":{"rendered":"

Neil Hughes<\/a> (via Dan Masters<\/a>):<\/p>\n

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In the last few weeks, the latest update for Google Maps<\/a> on iOS ditched support for the Apple Watch. Its removal was not mentioned in the release notes, and Google has not indicated whether support for watchOS will be reinstated.<\/p>\n

It's the same story with Amazon<\/a> and eBay<\/a>, both of which previously included Apple Watch support in their iOS apps. Both were updated in late April, and as of Monday, neither includes an Apple Watch app.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Update (2017-05-03): John Gruber<\/a>:<\/p>\n

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It’s pretty clear that despite the significant improvements in WatchOS 3, Apple Watch is not a successful app platform. It’s a successful fitness tracker and notification platform, but not for apps.<\/p>\n

[…]<\/p>\n

It’s just too slow and finicky to even get apps installed on Apple Watch in the first place. And the thing most apps are useful for on the watch — notifications — you don’t even need a WatchOS app for. You can just have the notifications from your iPhone show up on your watch.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Update (2017-10-01): Chance Miller<\/a> (via Dan Masters<\/a>):<\/p>\n

Earlier today, Apple Watch users noticed that Twitter had seemingly killed off its Apple Watch app with a silent update to the iOS client. Given the release of the cellular Apple Watch, many had hoped developers would have a renewed interest in Apple Watch apps, but this doesn’t seem to be the case for Twitter…<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n

Update (2025-08-13<\/a>): Sindre Sorhus<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Wondering why no one builds Apple Watch apps? Well…<\/p>

This is from my App Store Connect for the past year.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Previously:<\/p>\n