Galaxy Wearable (formerly Samsung Gear) is Samsung Electronics' official companion application for managing the entire Samsung wearable ecosystem — including Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Ring, and Galaxy Fit devices. With over 1 billion downloads on Google Play, a 3.8-star rating from 1.79 million reviews, and support for 44+ languages, Galaxy Wearable is one of the most widely used wearable management apps in the world.
App naming: On Android (Google Play), the app is called "Galaxy Wearable". On iOS (App Store), the companion app is named "Samsung Galaxy Watch (Gear S)" and only supports older Galaxy Watch models (Watch3 and earlier). Galaxy Watch4 and newer models require Android — they are not compatible with iPhone because they rely on Google Play services and Wear OS.
What Is the Galaxy Wearable App?
The Galaxy Wearable app is the central command hub for all Samsung wearable devices. It handles initial device pairing via Bluetooth, device customization, notification management, firmware updates, and settings configuration. Whether you own a Galaxy Watch8, Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Buds3 Pro, or the new Galaxy Ring, this single app manages them all.
Galaxy Wearable uses a modular plugin architecture — the main app acts as the entry point, while device-specific plugins (like Galaxy Watch Manager at ~155 MB) are automatically downloaded when you pair a specific device. This keeps the base app lightweight (~16.8 MB APK) while providing deep hardware integration for each wearable category.
Key Features of the Galaxy Wearable App
Device Setup & Bluetooth Pairing
The primary function of Galaxy Wearable is initial device setup. The app auto-detects nearby compatible devices via Bluetooth and guides users through a step-by-step pairing process:
- Open Galaxy Wearable → Tap Start
- Confirm the 6-digit pairing code on both devices
- Sign in with your Samsung account
- Review and grant permissions
- Follow prompts to complete setup
To add additional devices, tap the Menu icon → Add new device. Galaxy Wearable supports connecting multiple wearables simultaneously — for example, a Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds can be paired to the same phone.
Watch Face Management & Customization
The app provides access to an extensive library of watch faces:
- Browse and download watch faces from the Galaxy Store and Google Play
- Customize complications, colors, and styles
- Manage favorites and installed watch faces
- Create custom watch faces using built-in customization tools
Four main customization areas are accessible from the home screen: Watch Faces, Apps Screen, Tiles (Wear OS tiles), and Quick Panel (quick settings toggles).
Comprehensive Watch Settings
The Galaxy Wearable app settings page provides granular control over:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Notifications | Per-app notification controls and settings |
| Sounds & vibration | Sound mode, vibration strength, system sounds |
| Display | Brightness, screen wake-up, timeout |
| Samsung Health | Heart rate measurement frequency, stress monitoring |
| Advanced features | Hardware key customization, gestures |
| Battery | Usage monitoring, power saving mode |
| Apps | View, force stop, or uninstall installed apps |
| Safety & emergency | Medical info, emergency contacts, hard fall detection |
| Accounts & backup | Samsung/Google account management, backup/restore |
Galaxy Buds Management
When Galaxy Buds are connected, the app provides:
- Active Noise Canceling (ANC) and Ambient mode controls
- Touch control customization
- Equalizer settings
- Battery status (each earbud + case)
- Firmware updates
- Find My Buds
Note: Starting with One UI 6, Galaxy Buds are paired directly through phone Bluetooth settings. The Galaxy Wearable app still provides access to advanced Buds features after initial pairing.
Galaxy Ring Features
For the Galaxy Ring, the app enables:
- Health settings configuration and gesture controls
- Auto workout detection (walking, running)
- Find My Ring (last known location)
- Ring software updates (FOTA)
- Ring reset and re-pairing
Find My Watch & Software Updates
- Find My Watch / Find My Ring: Locate misplaced wearables using SmartThings Find / Samsung Find
- Over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates: Install new watch, buds, or ring software wirelessly through the app
- Music & Photo Transfer: Upload music and photos from phone to smartwatch
- Backup & Restore: Save watch settings and app data for restoration
Galaxy Wearable Supported Devices
Smartwatches
| Device | OS | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Watch8 / Watch8 Classic | Wear OS / One UI 8 Watch | Latest generation (2025) |
| Galaxy Watch Ultra | Wear OS / One UI Watch | Premium model |
| Galaxy Watch7 | Wear OS / One UI Watch | |
| Galaxy Watch FE | Wear OS / One UI Watch | Budget-friendly |
| Galaxy Watch6 / Watch6 Classic | Wear OS / One UI Watch | |
| Galaxy Watch5 / Watch5 Pro | Wear OS / One UI Watch | |
| Galaxy Watch4 / Watch4 Classic | Wear OS | First Samsung Wear OS watch |
| Galaxy Watch3 | Tizen OS | Last Tizen-based model |
| Galaxy Watch Active / Active2 | Tizen OS | |
| Galaxy Watch (2018) | Tizen OS | Original Galaxy Watch branding |
Wireless Earbuds
All Galaxy Buds models: Galaxy Buds, Buds+, Buds Live, Buds Pro, Buds2, Buds2 Pro, Buds3, Buds3 Pro, and the Galaxy Buds 4 / Buds 4 Pro (added in Feb 2026 update).
Fitness Bands & Smart Ring
- Galaxy Fit3: Supported (Android 10+)
- Galaxy Ring: Full support for health, gestures, Find My Ring, and firmware updates
- Galaxy Fit / Galaxy Fit e: Support removed as of February 2026
Legacy Gear Devices
Gear S2, Gear S2 Classic, Gear S3, Gear Sport, Gear Fit2, Gear Fit2 Pro, and Gear IconX are still supported with limited compatibility.
Is the Galaxy Wearable App Available on iPhone?
The Galaxy Wearable app for iPhone exists as "Samsung Galaxy Watch (Gear S)" on the App Store, but with significant limitations. The iOS version only supports older Tizen-based wearables:
- Compatible: Galaxy Watch (2018), Watch Active, Watch Active2, Watch3, Gear S2/S3, Gear Sport
- NOT compatible: Galaxy Watch4, Watch5, Watch6, Watch7, Watch8, Watch Ultra, Watch FE, Galaxy Fit3, Galaxy Ring
Galaxy Watch4 and newer models rely on Wear OS (Google Play services), which is not available on iOS. If you own a newer Galaxy Watch, you need an Android phone (Android 11+ recommended).
Is There a Galaxy Wearable App for PC?
There is no official Galaxy Wearable app for PC or Mac. All wearable management is done exclusively through the mobile app on Android (or the limited iOS version for older devices). Samsung does not provide a desktop client for watch management, watch face installation, or firmware updates.
Galaxy Wearable vs Samsung Health
Galaxy Wearable and Samsung Health are separate apps with distinct roles:
| App | Role |
|---|---|
| Galaxy Wearable | Device pairing, settings, watch faces, firmware updates, notifications |
| Samsung Health | Health & fitness data (steps, heart rate, sleep, workouts, body composition) |
| Samsung Health Monitor | ECG readings and blood pressure monitoring (Galaxy phones + compatible watches only) |
The Galaxy Wearable app does not display fitness or health data — it only provides settings shortcuts to Samsung Health. You need both apps installed for the full Galaxy Watch experience.
Phone Compatibility
Samsung Galaxy Phones
Galaxy Watch8/Ultra/7 require Android 11+. Galaxy Watch4–6 require Android 6.0–10+ depending on model. Confirmed compatible Samsung series: Galaxy S25/S24/S23/S22/S21/S20, Galaxy Z Fold 3–7, Galaxy Z Flip 3–7, Galaxy Note20, Galaxy A series (A56 down to A12), and Galaxy M series.
Non-Samsung Android Phones
Galaxy Wearable works on non-Samsung Android phones with some feature restrictions. Samsung Pay/Wallet is only available on Samsung phones. Galaxy Watch8/Ultra/7 require Android 11+; older watches require Android 6.0–8.0+ depending on model.
Privacy & Data Collection
Samsung's privacy policy indicates that the Galaxy Wearable ecosystem collects geolocation, biometric/health data, behavioral data, IP address, and device information. Users can disable Samsung's Customization Service, control specific permissions, erase collected data, and download personal data through Samsung account settings. Samsung Health cloud sync can be disabled to keep health data stored locally.

