S13 Watch / Vwar core 5. With Android 13 and AMOLED screen

Unsupported Watches
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We thought long and hard about how to handle this new watch. The hardware is pretty good, with a great AMOLED display, good build quality, and good battery life. Initially, it looked like we might be able to support it; we even discussed a custom firmware.

Ultimately, it didn’t come to that. But since there’s currently no perfect, fully Android watch on the market, this one is definitely worth a closer look.

By the way: Various versions of this watch are available, up to an incredible 512 GB! Well, if something seems too good to be true, it usually isn’t…
According to all the information I have, there’s only one version of this watch, namely 32 GB. So save yourself the expensive storage upgrade. After an OTA update, at the latest, all watches will display 256 GB…

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About the specs:

Even apps like device info doesn’t show the right specs. I guess the following are correct, let me know if I’m wrong.

Operating System: Android 13
System Type: Android & Bluetooth Dual System
Processor Type:
• Android System Chip: ASR8601C
• Bluetooth System Chip: JieLi 7013
Memory: 32GB ROM + 3GB RAM
WiFi: 2.4GHz
Bluetooth: BT 5.0
Location: GPS / BD / GLONASS
Display: 1.75" AMOLED, 466×466 resolution
Touch Screen: Multi-touch
Camera: Dual Camera (2MP + 9MP)
4G Network: Global LTE Bands
FDD：B1/B2/B3/B4/B7/B20/B28/B66 TDD:TDD_B34/B38/B39/B40/B41
Gravity Sensor: Supported
Heart Rate Sensor: VC30F-S
Blood Oxygen Sensor: VC30F-S
Antenna: LDS
Receiver (Speaker): 3-magnet AC
Motor: 0720
Microphone: 4015MIC
Battery Type: 1000mAh
Power Adapter: Supports up to 2A charging
Buttons: Rotary + Physical Buttons

How to enter the developer options:

Tapping on the buildnumber doesn’t work. To enter the developer options, open the phone dialer and type:

*#*#1024#*#*

Then open the settings and tap the build number several times to enable the developer options.

How to connect via USB to your computer:

To connect your watch via USB to your computer you will need a 4-Pin cable. Talk to the seller to make sure to get one. @Dr_Andy_Vishnu talked to Vwar. They say you can buy a 4-Pin data cable for the S13 / Vwar core here:

How to use ADB without 4-Pin cable:

Since the Watch runs on Android 13, wireless ADB can be used. This works very well with an app called Bugjaeger. This is installed on an Android smartphone and then connected to the Watch. @Dr_Andy_Vishnu has written a tutorial how exactly how this works. You can download it here:

How to make Watchdroid work:

Watchdroid requires the following permission adding via ADB for it to work correctly:

pm grant com.lumaticsoft.watchdroidassistant android.permission.SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW

This will allow the watchdroid app to “ display over other apps “ which is missing.

S13 and Universal Launcher:

There is currently still an unresolved issue with using Universal Launcher. This also involves a lack of permissions.

S13 and Google apps:

Any apps that need play protect verification will fail on the S13 because it does not pass integrity checks.

Allow apps to run in the background:

Settings - Application settings - select app - mobile and data - turn background data and unrestriced data usage on

Settings - Application settings - select app - app battery usage - turn on unrestricted

Menu - Optimization - App background management - Switch one - Whitelist - select apps to run in background

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@SmartWatch_Ticks posted a very worthwhile video about this watch on YouTube. You can find it here: -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVJ0c3Y6ydo

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Ok, that explain that i’notice on this watch : Google apps as Assistant, Agenda, Home, etc.. Dont work on this watch.

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@G1NT0N1C

Many thanks for posting this thread.

There is a 2gb ram + 16gb storage version as well.

Be careful when ordering : make sure you ask for four pin charging cable.

Vendor will supply you with a two pin cable unless you ask for four pin.

Similarly, the dev options and permissions are restricted as per the brand request. Along with the fake storage size and ram. Just wanted people to be very careful when ordering.

Cheers

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Also, after researching, if the vendor won’t send a 4-pin cable and you have to buy the Vwar one online, they charge a whopping $18. I have looked for this cable cheaper elsewhere, but as of yet, nothing.

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I’ll be publishing a tutorial on how to convert a 4-pin DW89 cable. It only costs about 1 euro, so it’s a bit cheaper. :joy:

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Yep, amazing that I didn’t realise this earlier :joy:

Mind you, I have yet to test it. :+1:

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Yep, that’s the issue with apps that need a google certified device.

It’s why we made firmware in the past.

Sadly, it’s not possible anymore without using a root module :frowning:

Basically, it’s getting harder and harder to spoof. I can totally understand why. Banking apps etc need to be completely secure.

Android 15 (coming soon for MTK) will be even worse to deal with.

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Brilliant :+1:

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I think there is another thing who block some apps in this watch, just for example install Google Assistant : install succesfull but when you want to use it message ( you have to choose Google to use it ) click on it and boot loop on the same message… A simple DM101 or Lemfo Lem 16 have not this issue and are not ‘ Google certified ‘… :smiling_face_with_sunglasses:

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Yep,

This is a symptom from the restriction on granting permissions.

They have included their own assistant app and I suspect it is not possible for Google assistant to get the permissions it needs. I don’t recommend using the built-in assistant app though.

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Hope you have a better sucess with a future A 14 or A 15 watch ( MTK device ) but at the moment i cannot promote this watch S13 : firmware is too crasp..

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I would disagree. I have all my desired google apps working.

Gmail

Gdrive

Phone

Message

Chat

On top of this all my other daily apps working fine.

However i appreciate your favourite apps dont work.

For under £ 55 personally i am very happy

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Thanks @Dr_Andy_Vishnu

Google assistant is the issue.

It’s this one that seems to be a problem. Not sure if it is because of certification or the built-in assistant app :thinking:

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I agree with @Dr_Andy_Vishnu . I think it’s a good watch for many usage scenarios. Both for users who use it “out of the box” for basic applications and aren’t interested in making major changes, and for users who are able to make some adjustments via ADB to get a little more out of the good hardware.
This watch is not suitable for users who rely on all apps functioning fully without further adjustments.

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I’ve cleaned up the post. Personal arguments removed. Please be objective. Thank you.

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@christ You’ve made your position on this watch more than clear. In fact, most of the posts in this thread are yours. And yes, you’re right—there’s currently no way to use Google Assistant on this watch. Just like all other apps that require a Google-certified device.
However, I’d like to discuss other aspects of this watch in this thread, both positive and negative. But please—not the same old ones over and over again…
Any further news about this watch can and will be published here. This includes useful ADB commands, the modification of a DW89 4-pin cable, and hopefully much more.

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I agree with you there @G1NT0N1C

This watch is excellent for my personal experience and I use it all the time.

It’s my daily driver.

I can understand why it is not suitable for some people as it is at the moment, but I really like it.

I am currently working with the guys in China to see if we can offer an alternative solution for our more Google centric members. Once a few things have calmed down, there is a good chance that this will happen :+1:

However, one thing that cannot be resolved by this is certification. From A10 onwards, it’s just not possible without using a root boot module.

The older methods will not work anymore. The problem with the boot module and root access is that it comprises the system integrity and is a huge problem in itself for A13 :frowning:

Anyway, let’s see what happens.

Personally, I’m happy because I don’t do stuff with my watch that needs these things.

Just my opinion of course.

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