WatchKit

Get your iPhone app
ready for Apple Watch.

Apple Watch represents a new chapter in the relationship people have with technology. Starting early 2015, you will be able to deliver innovative new experiences to your customers on their wrist. Learn how your existing app notifications can easily show up on Apple Watch. And by leveraging WatchKit, you can take your apps even further by extending and enhancing their functionality on Apple Watch.

Create WatchKit apps.

WatchKit apps have two parts: A WatchKit extension that runs on iPhone and a set of user interface resources that are installed on Apple Watch. When your app is launched on Apple Watch, the WatchKit extension on iPhone runs in the background to update the user interface and respond to user interactions. WatchKit provides three opportunities to extend your iPhone app to Apple Watch: WatchKit apps, Glances, and actionable notifications.

WatchKit Apps. Your app on Apple Watch contains a full user interface. Users can launch, control, and interact with your app in ways unique to Apple Watch.

Glances. You can provide users with timely read-only information that they care about with a Glance — a quick and lightweight view of your app.

Actionable Notifications. Actionable notifications built and designed with WatchKit let users take action right from their wrists.

View the Getting Started
with WatchKit video.

Understand the technical aspects of building a WatchKit app, including architecture, APIs, interface elements, and more advanced topics.

Design and Development Resources

Download the latest beta release of Xcode 6, which includes iOS 8.2 SDK with WatchKit, and use the design and development resources below to learn more about creating apps for Apple Watch.

Design Guides and Templates

Get a comprehensive set of design resources to help create your WatchKit app, Glance, and notifications. This package includes templates for a variety of interfaces, Home screen icons, Glances, and notifications. You’ll find detailed specifications for control sizing and layout, a menu icon style guide, fonts, and comprehensive information about Dynamic Type text sizes, styles, and special features.

Xcode and iOS SDK beta

This release of Xcode 6.2 with iOS 8.2 SDK beta includes WatchKit for building apps, Glances, and notifications for Apple Watch.

WatchKit Resources
Sharing and Embedded Frameworks Resources

iOS Developer Program membership is required to access beta versions of iOS 8 and the Apple Watch design resources. Not a member? Learn more