How to Connect a Samsung Galaxy Watch to Your Phone

The watch will automatically reconnect to the phone it was set up with when they're close. You'll need to reset the watch to use it with a new phone

What to Know

  • Reconnect to your phone: With your devices close by, turn on Bluetooth on both, then wait for the connection.
  • Pair to new phone: Open Settings > General > Connect to new phone > Continue to reset your watch.
  • Next, from the Galaxy Wearable mobile app, select your watch from the list, then follow the prompts.

This article explains how to connect a Samsung Galaxy Watch to your phone.

How Do I Connect My Samsung Watch to My Phone?

If you’re trying to connect your Samsung watch to the phone you initially used to set it up, the two devices should connect if they're both on, have Bluetooth enabled, and there isn’t too much wireless interference. Here's what to do:

  1. Place the phone and the watch close together.

  2. Turn on the phone’s Bluetooth through the Settings app. Also turn on the watch’s Bluetooth via Settings > Connections > Bluetooth.

  3. The watch will connect to the phone.

    If they don’t connect, check the Galaxy Wearable (Android) or Galaxy Watch (iOS) app. If the watch isn’t listed as a connected device, you'll need to reset and reconnect the watch (see below).

How to Connect a Samsung Watch to a New Phone

To connect a Samsung watch to a new phone or fix a connection that no longer works, you'll need to reset your Galaxy watch (it can only be paired to one phone at a time). The reset procedure can be started from the watch itself, as you'll see in the steps below.

Samsung watches work best with Samsung phones, but they also work well with other Android phones. You can connect a Samsung watch to an iPhone with limited functionality, but some Samsung watches don't work with iPhones.

  1. Swipe up from the main watch face and go to Settings > General.

    Connecting Samsung galaxy watch to phone
  2. Tap Connect to new phone.

  3. If you want to retain settings and other data from your watch, tap Back up data and follow the prompts on your phone.

    This is optional. If you don’t have the phone you originally used to set up your watch, skip this step.

  4. Tap Continue.

    Connecting Samsung Galaxy watch to phone
  5. Your watch will factory reset itself in preparation for connecting to a new phone. Set your watch down, and pick up the phone you want to connect.

  6. Download and install the watch app for your device.

  7. Tap Start on Android, or Start the Journey on iOS.

    Install, Open, and Start highlighted in the Galaxy Wearable app
  8. Wait for the app to locate your watch, and tap Galaxy Watch when it appears.

  9. If the number on your phone matches the number on your watch, select Pair on your phone. If you don't see that screen, tap Confirm on your phone and also tap the checkmark on the watch.

  10. Select Sign in.

    Galaxy Watch4, Pair, and Sign in highlighted in the Galaxy Wearable app
  11. Tap Continue.

    You will need to create a Samsung account at this point if prompted.

  12. Tap Continue, then Allow.

    Continue and Allow highlighted in the Galaxy Wearable app
  13. Tap Agree.

  14. Wait for the watch to connect.

  15. Tap Continue, or sign in to your Google account if prompted.

  16. Tap Next if you backed up your watch earlier; choose Skip if you didn’t.

    Agree, Continue, and Next highlighted in the Galaxy Wearable app
  17. Tap Restore and then wait for the app to restore your backup.

    If you didn’t back up your watch, skip this step.

  18. Your Samsung watch is now connected.

    Restore highlighted in the Galaxy Wearable app

Why Won’t My Samsung Watch Connect to My Phone?

If your Samsung watch doesn’t connect to your phone, make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone and watch. If you're still have troubles, restart your watch and restart your phone. If there’s a concern of wireless interference, try moving your devices to a different area.

If you’re trying to connect your Samsung watch to an iPhone, be aware some Samsung watches aren’t compatible with iOS. For example, in our tests, the iPhone located a Galaxy Watch 4, and it even tried to connect, but the connection process failed. If you’re trying to set up or connect your watch for the first time, and it won’t connect, make sure the watch is compatible with your phone.

FAQ
  • How do I make calls on my Samsung Galaxy Watch?

    On your watch, tap Phone and choose the Keypad or Contacts. Tap the green phone icon to start the call.

  • How do I answer calls on my Samsung Galaxy Watch?

    To answer calls on your Samsung Galaxy Watch, tap the green phone icon and swipe toward the center of the screen. To decline a call, tap the red phone icon and swipe left.

  • How do I charge my Samsung Galaxy Watch without the charger?


    If you need to charge your Samsung Galaxy Watch without the charger, place the Galaxy Watch on any compatible Qi charging station or a Galaxy Phone that supports PowerShare. Not all Qi chargers work with Galaxy Watches, and you need to monitor for excess heat when using third-party chargers.

  • Can I set up my Samsung Galaxy Watch without a phone?

    It depends on your model. When you power on your watch, swipe up and tap the question mark (?). Then, on the next screen, swipe up and tap here to get started. If you don't see these options, you need a phone to set up your device.

  • Can I use my Samsung Watch without a phone?

    Most of your watch's basic features will work without your phone, but if you want to make calls, your watch needs to be the LTE version with a mobile plan.

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