Create your first Watch app

Create a small connected flow first. You can add state, device features, and hardware integrations after its navigation works.

Create the project

1. Open Editor and choose Watch app.
2. Choose the target Garmin watch and name the project.
3. A new app starts with connected Home and Details pages. Keep this small flow, rename it, or replace it as your app takes shape.
4. Select a screen to set its layout, chrome, scrolling behavior, and whether it is the entry screen. The screen name appears on the watch only when chrome is set to Title or Title and status.
5. Choose Add element to add text, a metric, button, list, image, shape, or icon.

The project saves locally as you work. Use a target device early because its display, input methods, and Connect IQ version affect compatibility.

Add and connect a screen

1. Open the screen manager and add a page, menu, dialog, picker, or confirmation.
2. Give the screen a short, distinct name.
3. On the source screen, add or select a focusable control.
4. Set its action to navigate to the new screen.
5. Add a Back or dismiss action where the wearer needs an explicit way out.

Design checks flag screens that cannot be reached from the entry screen and actions whose target is missing.

Add state and behavior

Open Settings to add app state. Use session state for values that reset when the app closes and persisted state for preferences or progress that should survive another launch.

Select a layer to bind a metric, set an action that changes state, or add a visibility rule. Preview several values so hidden controls and alternate states remain understandable.

Preview the workflow

Choose Preview, then use touch or button input to move through the app. Change the scenario, permissions, sensor connection, pairing status, or hardware result to check non-happy paths. Capture a snapshot or record and replay a flow when you need to compare behavior after an edit.

Preview uses simulated state. A real build still depends on the watch’s permissions, sensors, GPS, companion connection, and configured hardware adapter.

Build the app

1. Open design checks and resolve blocking issues.
2. In DialStudio desktop, complete build setup.
3. Choose Build, confirm the target and derived permissions, and create the install file.
4. Follow Install on your watch.

The generated project includes Connect IQ source plus a README describing screens, state, permissions, and any runtime integration you still need to provide. Hardware commands fail closed until their generated adapter is implemented and registered.