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wtf is watchkit-for-ios?

calda/watchkit-for-ios — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-07-28 · repo last pushed 2017-11-12

9SwiftAudience · developerComplexity · 2/5DormantSetup · easy

TL;DR

A framework that lets Apple Watch apps run on iPhone by rebuilding WatchKit for iOS, requiring only a one-line code change. Built as a hackathon project, it covers core interface elements like labels, buttons, and groups.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((repo))
    What it does
      Runs watch apps on iPhone
      One line code swap
      Translates watch interface
    Tech stack
      Swift
      WatchKit
      iOS Storyboards
    Use cases
      Port watch apps to iPhone
      Avoid maintaining two codebases
      Ship simple apps faster
    Audience
      iOS developers
      Hackathon tinkerers
    Limitations
      Partial reimplementation
      Simple apps only
      Core elements only
    Proof of concept
      Emoji Sudoku app
      HackGT 2016 finalist

Code map

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Why would anyone build with this?

REASON 1

Port an existing Apple Watch app to iPhone without rewriting the codebase.

REASON 2

Reach iPhone users with a watch app by swapping one import line.

REASON 3

Maintain a single codebase for both Apple Watch and iPhone versions of a simple app.

What's in the stack?

SwiftWatchKitiOSStoryboards

How it stacks up

calda/watchkit-for-iosdidisouzacosta/gloweffectkitsameerasw/daily
Stars999
LanguageSwiftSwiftSwift
Last pushed2017-11-12
MaintenanceDormant
Setup difficultyeasyeasymoderate
Complexity2/52/52/5
Audiencedeveloperdevelopergeneral

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you spin it up?

Difficulty · easy Time to first run · 5min

Requires an existing Apple Watch app built with WatchKit and a Mac with Xcode.

The explanation does not mention a license, so the terms of use are unclear.

Wtf does this do

WatchKit for iOS lets you take an app built for Apple Watch and run it on an iPhone, without rewriting the whole thing. It was a finalist at HackGT 2016, a weekend hackathon in Atlanta. Normally, Apple Watch apps are built using a special set of tools called WatchKit, which only runs on the watch itself. This project rebuilds enough of that toolkit to work on the iPhone instead. In practical terms, a developer swaps one line of code, changing import WatchKit to import WatchKit_iOS, and drops in a setup snippet to display the watch interface on an iPhone screen. The project handles the translation in between. The creator proved the concept with an actual app called Emoji Sudoku, which was originally a watch app. Using this framework, the watch version ran on iPhone with almost no changes, and that same approach now powers the App Store version of Emoji Sudoku. This is useful for developers who built a watch app and want to reach iPhone users without maintaining two separate codebases. Because it was built in roughly 36 hours for a hackathon, the reimplementation is partial. It covers a handful of core interface elements, controllers, groups, labels, and buttons, along with support for storyboards, colors, fonts, and force-touch menus. More complex WatchKit features aren't included, so it works best for simpler apps rather than full-featured watch applications.

Yoink these prompts

Prompt 1
I have an Apple Watch app built with WatchKit. How do I use WatchKit for iOS to run it on an iPhone? Walk me through the import swap and setup snippet.
Prompt 2
Show me how to display an Apple Watch storyboard interface on an iPhone screen using WatchKit for iOS.
Prompt 3
What WatchKit interface elements are supported by WatchKit for iOS, and how do I use controllers, groups, labels, and buttons in my ported app?

Frequently asked questions

wtf is watchkit-for-ios?

A framework that lets Apple Watch apps run on iPhone by rebuilding WatchKit for iOS, requiring only a one-line code change. Built as a hackathon project, it covers core interface elements like labels, buttons, and groups.

What language is watchkit-for-ios written in?

Mainly Swift. The stack also includes Swift, WatchKit, iOS.

Is watchkit-for-ios actively maintained?

Dormant — no commits in 2+ years (last push 2017-11-12).

What license does watchkit-for-ios use?

The explanation does not mention a license, so the terms of use are unclear.

How hard is watchkit-for-ios to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated easy, with roughly 5min to a first successful run.

Who is watchkit-for-ios for?

Mainly developer.

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