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Wear OS makes it easier for users to return to activities that run in the
background, such as timers, media sessions, and workouts.
Entry points
Users can return to the ongoing activity from multiple entry-points.
Figure 1. Users can return to the ongoing activity from a watch face.
Figure 2. Users can return to the ongoing activity from the launcher.
Figure 3. Users can return to the ongoing activity from a Tile.
Guidelines
Keep the following guidelines in mind when using ongoing activities.
Display helpful information in the launcher entry
check_circle
Do
Show critical information in the launcher entry.
The text string displayed in Recents should help users understand the type of
ongoing activity, and the status of that activity.
The text to show in Recents depends on the type of app:
Media apps: Show the track name, such as the song name or podcast name.
Fitness apps: Show either workout duration or workout type.
Navigation apps: Show the journey's ETA, the destination name, or method
of navigation.
Refer to ongoing activities from the Tile
Show a glanceable representation on the Tile to allow the user to return to the
ongoing activity while conserving power.
check_circle
Do
Enable the user to tap to see more information in an app.
cancel
Don't
Show detailed information and actions for the ongoing activity on the Tile.
Content and code samples on this page are subject to the licenses described in the Content License. Java and OpenJDK are trademarks or registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates.
Last updated 2025-05-20 UTC.
[null,null,["Last updated 2025-05-20 UTC."],[],[],null,["# Ongoing activities\n\nWear OS makes it easier for users to return to activities that run in the\nbackground, such as timers, media sessions, and workouts.\n\nEntry points\n------------\n\nUsers can return to the ongoing activity from multiple entry-points.\n\n\n**Figure 1.** Users can return to the ongoing activity from a watch face. \n\n**Figure 2.** Users can return to the ongoing activity from the launcher. \n\n**Figure 3.** Users can return to the ongoing activity from a Tile.\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\nGuidelines\n----------\n\nKeep the following guidelines in mind when using ongoing activities.\n\n### Display helpful information in the launcher entry\n\ncheck_circle\n\n### Do\n\nShow critical information in the launcher entry.\n\nThe text string displayed in Recents should help users understand the type of\nongoing activity, and the status of that activity.\n\nThe text to show in Recents depends on the type of app:\n\n- **Media apps:** Show the track name, such as the song name or podcast name.\n- **Fitness apps:** Show either workout duration or workout type.\n- **Navigation apps:** Show the journey's ETA, the destination name, or method of navigation.\n\n### Refer to ongoing activities from the Tile\n\nShow a glanceable representation on the Tile to allow the user to return to the\nongoing activity while conserving power.\n**Note:** To conserve power, try not to update the Tile more than once a minute. \ncheck_circle\n\n### Do\n\nEnable the user to tap to see more information in an app. \ncancel\n\n### Don't\n\nShow detailed information and actions for the ongoing activity on the Tile."]]
