Google has introduced a playful new feature that blends personalization with wearable tech. The company's Androidify app, which was recently revived, can now transform a user's selfie into a custom Android bot avatar and then directly apply it as a watch face on Wear OS smartwatches. This update, launched on December 18, 2025, leverages Google's Gemini AI to offer a unique and highly personal way for users to style their devices just in time for the holiday season.
Key Dates & Availability
- Feature Launch: December 18, 2025.
- Androidify App Relaunch: September 2025 (after being discontinued in 2020).
- Platform: Wear OS smartwatches paired with Android phones.
- Phone Requirement: Android 8.0 (Oreo) and above.
- Cost: The Androidify app and the watch face feature are free.
A Personalized Touch for Your Wrist
The core of this new feature is personalization. Instead of choosing from a static library of watch faces, users can now create a digital representation of themselves. The process begins within the Androidify app on a compatible Android phone. Users can either take a new selfie or type a descriptive text prompt. The app then uses Google's Gemini AI to generate a custom Android bot avatar based on the provided input. This AI-powered creation allows for a surprising degree of detail and customization, making each avatar unique to its creator.
Creation Methods in Androidify
- Selfie/Photo: Take a photo directly in the app or use an existing one.
- Text Prompt: Type a descriptive text prompt; the app uses Gemini AI to generate the Android bot avatar based on the description.
Seamless Integration with Wear OS
Getting the custom creation from your phone to your wrist is designed to be a straightforward process. Once the Android bot avatar is finalized in the phone app, a simple tap on a watch icon initiates the transfer. If the Androidify app is not already installed on the paired Wear OS smartwatch, the phone app will prompt and handle the installation automatically. After a successful setup, users can select from several watch face styles, with their personalized bot seamlessly integrated into the design, offering a fun and distinctive look.
The Revival of Androidify
This feature marks a significant new chapter for the Androidify app itself. Originally discontinued by Google in 2020, Androidify made a surprise comeback in September 2025 with a more powerful, AI-driven foundation. The reborn app focused on creating and even animating fun Android characters from selfies. The new Wear OS watch face capability is a natural extension of this, providing a practical and visible use case for the personalized avatars beyond simple sharing with friends and family.
A Lighthearted Feature for the Holidays
Google's timing for this launch is no coincidence. Positioned as a "light" and "fun" addition, the feature arrives just as many are in a festive mood during the U.S. holiday season. It offers a simple way for users to engage with their technology in a creative and personal manner without a complex setup or additional cost. While it may not represent a major technological breakthrough, it successfully demonstrates how AI can be used to add a layer of whimsy and individual expression to everyday gadgets like smartwatches.
Looking at the Broader Watch Face Ecosystem
The introduction of this feature also highlights the growing ecosystem for Wear OS customization. While Google provides its own options and now this personalized tool, it acknowledges the vibrant third-party market, specifically mentioning apps like Facer, which was recently revamped for Wear OS 6. Google's move can be seen as both complementing and competing within this space, offering an official, AI-native path to customization that leverages its own software and hardware ecosystem in a unique way.