How to connect your watch to your phone

How to connect your watch to your phone

To access all its fun and useful features, you'll want to connect your smart watch to your phone using the Galaxy Wearable app. If your phone isn't available, you can also set up your watch without a phone and pair it with the Galaxy Wearable app later. Once everything is set up, your smart watch and phone will make a dynamic duo. You can even automatically sync data between the two of them, such as your workout information from Samsung Health.

Note: Available screens and settings may vary by provider, phone, or watch.

The Galaxy Wearable app connects your smart watch to a compatible phone. You should make sure to check if your phone is on the list of compatible phones. Then, you can use the app to manage and monitor your watch's features and apps installed from the Play Store. But first, make sure Bluetooth is activated on your phone.

  1. Navigate to and open the Play Store. Search for and select Galaxy Wearable, and then tap Install

  2. Once the app downloads, tap OPEN, and then tap Start

  3. Select your watch and then follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process.

    How to connect your watch to your phone

  4. You may be asked if you want to restore your settings from a previous Samsung smart watch. Select the desired watch, then select the data you’d like to restore, and then follow the prompts. You can choose from Apps, Phone, Quick panel, Samsung Health, Settings, Watch face, Tiles, Widgets, and Messages.

  5. While connecting your smart watch with your phone, you'll see prompts to activate your carrier's service on the watch. If your watch has this service, follow the prompts to complete the activation process and finish setting up your smart watch. You can skip this step if you do not want service on your watch or if you have a Wi-Fi model.

  6. To connect an additional device, tap Menu (the three horizontal lines) on the left side, tap + Add new device, and then select your device. You can switch between your deviceswhenever you want.

Note: If needed, you can access accessibility settings from the Welcome screen on your watch or fitness band. Also, if you have accessibility options set up on your connected phone, you can set your watch settings to match the phone.

If you have any difficulty getting your watch connected, please see our troubleshooting guide.

Note: The Galaxy Watch4 series and Galaxy Watch5 series are not compatible with iOS devices.

If you have an iPhone, you can still easily set up and connect your smart watch using the Samsung Galaxy Watch app from the App Store. If you have a fitness band like the Galaxy Fit, use the Samsung Galaxy Fit app to connect.

  1. First, navigate to and open the App Store. Search for and select Samsung Galaxy Watch or Samsung Galaxy Fit, and then tap GET next to the app.

  2. Once it downloads, tap OPEN, and then tap START THE JOURNEY.

  3. Select your watch and then follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process. You'll see prompts to activate your carrier's service on the watch. If your watch has this service, follow the prompts to complete the activation process and finish setting up your smart watch.

    How to connect your watch to your phone

  4. To connect another device, tap More options (the three vertical dots), then tap Connect new device, and then select your device. You will need to disconnect the other device before connecting a new one.

Note: Some features such as the Email app and Samsung Pay are not available on non-Samsung phones.

If you have any difficulty getting your watch connected, please see our troubleshooting guide.

Note: The Galaxy Fit, Fit2, Galaxy Watch4 series, and Galaxy Watch5 series cannot be used without a phone.

If you have no phone, it's no problem! With certain watch models, you can still use your watch when it's solo. Before you set up a new mobile plan, you may be asked if you want to restore your watch's settings from a previous backup. Doing so can ensure that you keep all of the current apps, app settings, and data. 

  1. When your watch powers on for the first time, swipe up and then tap the question mark icon.

    How to connect your watch to your phone

  2. On the next screen, swipe up and tap here. Tap Continue, and then agree to the different policies.

  3. From there, follow the guide to set up your watch without a phone.

  4. If your watch supports LTE, you will be prompted to set up a mobile data plan.

  5. If you already have this service, swipe to the bottom, select that you already have this service, and then tap Next.

  6. If you do not have a mobile data plan and wish to learn more, contact your mobile carrier. Or, you can tap Skip to continue setting up your device.

© 2022 Samsung Electronics America, Inc. Samsung, Samsung Galaxy and Family Hub are trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. All other brands, products and services, and their respective trademarks, names and logos, are the property of their respective owners. The above content is provided for entertainment and information purposes only. Consult user manual for more complete information. All information included herein is subject to change without notice. Samsung is not responsible for any direct or indirect damages, arising from or related to use or reliance of the content herein.

How do you get my watch connected to my phone?

Set up your watch for the first time.
Turn on your watch..
On your phone, open Wear OS ..
Tap Set it up..
On your watch, to choose a language and accept the terms of service, follow the on-screen instructions..
On your phone, follow the on-screen instructions until you find the name of your watch..
Tap the name of your watch..

How do I pair my watch with my iPhone?

Bring your iPhone near your Apple Watch, wait for the Apple Watch pairing screen to appear on your iPhone, then tap Pair..
Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone..
Tap My Watch, then tap All Watches at the top of the screen..
Tap Add Watch, then follow the onscreen instructions..

Why is my Apple Watch not connecting to my phone?

Try to connect your Apple Watch and iPhone again On your iPhone, make sure that Airplane Mode is off and that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on. To check, open Control Center. If you see the Airplane Mode icon on your watch face, Airplane Mode is on. Open Control Center, then turn off Airplane Mode.