Galaxy Wearable (Samsung Gear) is the app you need to connect your Samsung wearables to your mobile device.
It will also manage and monitor the Samsung wearable device app and features you have installed from Galaxy Apps.
With the app, you can set up and control the following:
Connecting and disconnecting mobile device
Updating software
Setting the clock
Managing app downloads and settings
Setting up Find My Watch
Managing notifications
If you install the app on mobile on your Android or iOS devices, you can then pair Samsung wearable devices via Bluetooth to manage all of the features.
However, the app comes with a list of caveats and only supports a limited range of devices at present. Exactly which Samsung devices are supported depends on the model, your region, and operator.
Generally, the app works well but has several disappointing limitations for both Android and iOS users. Being a Samsung product, the app works well, just as would expect from this phone manufacturer.
However, they appear to have spread themselves a little thin this time. The app attempts to cover too many bases for a single app. The outcome is a series of compromises that make the app a little less functional than we might have hoped from the likes of Samsung.
That said, what it does do, it does well. And we can probably all live with that. Just don’t expect the app to do everything you hoped for. It was worthwhile reading the spec carefully before downloading the app to avoid disappointment later.
It’s free
You only require a stable internet connection to pair your wearable with your mobile device
Easy to use with a lovely interface
Regularly updated. The last update was in January.
The app does not support Gear 360 or Gear VTR. Limited support for other devices
You can only pair Galaxy Buds to a tablet
Heavy on your battery following the last update.
The Galaxy Wearable app is downloadable from Google Play. The Android version is a very lightweight 5.6 MB and requires 4.3 or later. Users have awarded the app a 4.6 rating.
The app requires several permissions. Optional permissions are turned on by default but not allowed.
Among the required permissions are:
Location - To allow the app to search for devices using Bluetooth
Storage - Requirements vary by the operating system and device
Telephone - Required to check unique device info for updating and installing plug-ins
Contacts - Access is needed for services to link to accounts using Samsung account info.
The app for iOS is called Samsung Galaxy Watch (Gear S) as it mainly supports the Gear range on the Apple Platform. And the app only works for iPhone and is not compatible with iPad or iPod touch.
On iOS, you can connect to your mobile device:
Gear S2/S3/Sport
And Galaxy Watch/Active/Active2/3
You can also manage and monitor Galaxy App installed app and features on:
Gear S2/S3/Sport
And Galaxy Watch/Active/Active2/3
