Amazon Music fans are no longer left in the cold when it comes to streaming music on their Android smartwatch, with an official Wear OS app now available on the Play Store.
Unlike the iterations we've seen from Spotify and Deezer, however, the first iteration of the Amazon Music app for Wear OS isn't quite as complete - and it's currently quite buggy to navigate around.
Aside from this, the big omission to be aware of is offline listening, though we do expect this feature to land in future updates - especially given the fact it's possible on other devices with support for Amazon Music, such as Garmin's watches.
Still, below, we'll take you through how to download the app, link your account, pair headphones and even provide a bit of insight into the differences between Amazon Music Free and Amazon Music Unlimited.
Download the Amazon Music app
Getting the Amazon Music app onto your Wear OS smartwatch follows the same process as any other app, meaning you're able to download it from the watch itself or your linked smartphone.
Download the Amazon Music Wear OS app from the watch:
1. Open the app menu and scroll down to 'Google Play Store'.
2. Use either voice search or keyboard search to find 'Amazon Music'.
3. From here, simply tap the app to find more details and tap 'Download'.
Once the download is complete, it should then appear in your list of apps.
Download the Amazon Music Wear OS app from a smartphone:
1. On the smartphone linked to your Wear OS smartwatch, open the Google Play Store.
2. Using the search bar, tap on the 'Your devices' filter and select your smartwatch.
3. From here, type and find 'Amazon Music'.
4. Next, tap the app to discover more details and then hit 'Download'.
Once the download is complete on your phone, make sure to sync. From there, it should then appear in your smartwatch's list of apps.
Link your Amazon account and headphones
Once you've got the app downloaded, you're going to want to link your Amazon account.
You'll be prompted to do so with a code that appears upon opening the app for the first time, which you'll then need to log in on the web with in order to link the two.
It's all very straightforward, and, from here, you'll be straight into your library.
The next step is deciding whether you want to control things from your phone or your smartwatch. If you decide to control your listening through the Bluetooth connection from your watch, you'll then be automatically prompted to pair a nearby device, as shown above.
Given the fact you're not currently able to listen when offline, however, the only real benefit to controlling your music from the wrist is if you have a smartwatch with cellular support.
Amazon Music Free vs. Amazon Music Unlimited
Amazon's tiers can be relatively baffling at the best of times, and, sadly, the experience is no different with its Wear OS app.
Unlike on other versions of the app, the 'Amazon Music Prime' tier doesn't really seem to be present just yet, meaning you're left dealing with the drawbacks of Amazon Music Free (even if you're a Prime subscriber) or shelling out extra for Amazon Music Unlimited.
Amazon Music Free is a very basic experience, as well. You're not able to access specific artists, songs or really anything you actually select, instead being served up a radio equivalent with a limited number of skips. It's a pretty poor deal for Amazon Prime subscribers, in truth.
Amazon Music Unlimited, meanwhile, affords you the luxury of accessing what you select on the app - and it's all here, including your entire library and playlists - but, as we mentioned up top, there's no support for the likes of offline downloads.
How we test
Conor moved to Wareable Media Group in 2017, initially covering all the latest developments in smartwatches, fitness trackers, and VR. He made a name for himself writing about trying out translation earbuds on a first date and cycling with a wearable airbag, as well as covering the industry’s latest releases.
Following a stint as Reviews Editor at Pocket-lint, Conor returned to Wareable Media Group in 2022 as Editor-at-Large. Conor has become a wearables expert, and helps people get more from their wearable tech, via Wareable's considerable how-to-based guides.
He has also contributed to British GQ, Wired, Metro, The Independent, and The Mirror.