This article explains how to set up a Samsung Galaxy watch. Instructions apply to all models of the original Samsung Galaxy smartwatch. Additional information covers how to download apps and how to find your watch.

What to Know

  • To pair a watch with a smartphone, launch the app on the phone, choose the model, tap Allow, and select a watch.To set up a screen lock, go to Settings > Security > Lock > Type and select a lock type (pattern, PIN, or none).To download apps, rotate the watch bezel to go to Galaxy Apps or Play Store.

Set up a Samsung Galaxy Watch

After taking your watch out of the box, the first step is to charge it using the included wireless charging dock. When the LED indicator is red, the watch is charging; when the light turns green, the device has a full charge.

You can optionally set up a screen lock for your watch. Rotate the watch bezel to the left or right and tap Settings > Security > Lock > Type. Next, select the screen lock type you’d like to use (pattern, PIN, or none).

Once you set up your Galaxy Watch, you can receive notifications, play games, track your workouts, and more.

How to Pair a Galaxy Watch With a Smartphone

To sync your smartwatch with an Android phone, you’ll need to install the Galaxy Wearable app, which is compatible with devices running Android 5.0 Lollipop or later. iPhone users must install the Galaxy Wear app for iOS 9.0 and up.

  • Launch the app on your phone and choose your watch model.
  • Tap Allow to grant the necessary permissions.
  • A Bluetooth pairing request displays on the screen. Select your watch when it is detected. When you’ve successfully paired your devices, the watch displays a brief tutorial so you can get familiar with its features.
  • If your Galaxy Watch has 4G LTE, activate it by calling your wireless carrier.

How to Download Apps for Samsung Galaxy Watches

Go to Galaxy Apps or the Play Store to download Galaxy Watch apps by rotating the watch bezel left or right. You’ll find the following apps preloaded on your device:

Launch the app on your phone and choose your watch model.

Tap Allow to grant the necessary permissions.

A Bluetooth pairing request displays on the screen. Select your watch when it is detected. When you’ve successfully paired your devices, the watch displays a brief tutorial so you can get familiar with its features.

If your Galaxy Watch has 4G LTE, activate it by calling your wireless carrier.

  • SmartThings: Control smart home devices from your watch.
  • Samsung Health: Log your workouts and other health-related data.
  • Bixby: Use the Samsung virtual assistant.

You can also download different watch faces from Galaxy Apps. Touch and hold the watch face to select a preloaded watch face or download a new one. Tap Customize to tweak the watch face to your liking.

How to Use a Samsung Galaxy Watch

Rotate the bezel left or right to view notifications, select an app, or navigate screens. You can also swipe the screen to see notifications, view the Quick Panel, or navigate screens.

Alternatively, you can launch the Galaxy Wearable app on your watch and follow the prompts to connect to your smartphone.

To answer or reject a phone call, swipe or rotate the bezel. Swipe up and tap Decline message to send the caller to voicemail or respond with a preset text message. When you get a text message, swipe up or rotate the watch bezel to reply with a quick response and then tap Edit responses to add a custom message.

How to Find Your Galaxy Watch

On your smartphone, go to Galaxy Wearable > Settings > Find My Watch > Start. You can also locate your smartphone from your watch by tapping Find My Phone > Start.

You can only make phone calls when the watch is connected to LTE or a smartphone via Bluetooth.

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