How to Pair Samsung Galaxy Watch with iPhone

Pairing a Samsung Galaxy Watch with an iPhone can be a practical solution for users who prefer Samsung’s wearable design but use Apple’s smartphone ecosystem. While the integration isn’t as seamless as with Android devices, certain Galaxy Watch models can still function with iPhones, offering basic features like notifications and fitness tracking.

Compatibility Overview

Before attempting to pair your devices, it’s crucial to understand which Galaxy Watch models are compatible with iPhones:

Compatible Models:

• Galaxy Watch (2018)
• Galaxy Watch Active
• Galaxy Watch Active2
• Galaxy Watch3
• Gear S2
• Gear S3
• Gear Sport
• Gear Fit2 Pro

These models run on Samsung’s Tizen OS and can be paired with iPhones using the Samsung Galaxy Watch app available on the App Store.

Incompatible Models:

• Galaxy Watch4
• Galaxy Watch5
• Galaxy Watch6

These newer models operate on Google’s Wear OS and are not compatible with iOS devices. Samsung has confirmed that these watches cannot be paired with iPhones due to software limitations.

Step-by-Step Guide to Pairing Compatible Galaxy Watch with iPhone

1. Prepare Your Devices

• Charge Both Devices: Ensure your Galaxy Watch and iPhone are sufficiently charged.
• Enable Bluetooth on iPhone: Go to Settings > Bluetooth and toggle it on.

2. Download the Samsung Galaxy Watch App

• Open the App Store on your iPhone.
• Search for “Samsung Galaxy Watch.”
• Download and install the app.

3. Initiate Pairing Process

• Open the Samsung Galaxy Watch app on your iPhone.
• Tap “Start the Journey.”
• Select your watch model from the list.
• Follow on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process.

4. Confirm Bluetooth Pairing

• A Bluetooth pairing request will appear on your iPhone.
• Tap “Pair” to establish the connection.

5. Finalize Setup

• Grant necessary permissions for notifications, contacts, and calendar access.
• Sign in to your Samsung account if prompted, to sync data and settings.

Limitations When Using Galaxy Watch with iPhone

While basic functionalities are accessible, several features are restricted:

• No Samsung Pay: Mobile payment feature is unavailable.
• Limited Messaging: Cannot send messages; only receive notifications.
• No Email Support: Email app functionality is limited or nonexistent.
• No App Downloads: Cannot install new apps from the Galaxy Store.
• No Samsung Health Sync: Health data may not sync with the iPhone’s Health app.

Alternative Methods for Incompatible Models

For Galaxy Watch models running Wear OS (e.g., Watch4, Watch5, Watch6), direct pairing with iPhones is not supported. However, some users have explored alternative methods:

Using the Merge App

The Merge app claims to facilitate pairing between Wear OS Galaxy Watches and iPhones. However, this method requires initial setup with an Android device:

1. Set up the watch using an Android phone.
2. Install the Merge app on the watch via the Play Store.
3. Pair the watch with the iPhone using Merge.

Note: This workaround offers limited functionality and is not officially supported by Samsung.

Personal Experience and Recommendations

In my experience, pairing a Galaxy Watch3 with an iPhone provided satisfactory results for basic functions like timekeeping, notifications, and fitness tracking. However, the lack of advanced features and limited app support made the experience less fulfilling compared to using the watch with a Samsung phone.

Recommendations:

• For full functionality: Use the Galaxy Watch with a Samsung or compatible Android phone.
• For iPhone users seeking full integration: Consider using an Apple Watch, which offers seamless compatibility with iOS devices.

Troubleshooting Tips

• If pairing fails:
  • Restart both devices.
  • Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on the iPhone.
  • Reset the Galaxy Watch to factory settings and attempt pairing again.
• If notifications aren’t received:
  • Check notification settings in the Galaxy Watch app.
  • Ensure Do Not Disturb mode is not enabled on either device.