Smartwatch · Connect guide
How to connect a smartwatch
Sources checked · how we check
Smartwatches pair through their maker's app rather than the phone's Bluetooth menu. Install the app for your watch, turn the watch on, and confirm the pairing on both screens. Apple Watch has its own guide.
01 · Before you start
Check these first
- Charge the watch and the phone.
- Turn on Bluetooth on the phone.
- Make sure the watch and phone are compatible.
02 · Connect
Step by step, by device
Samsung Galaxy Watch4 and later
Galaxy Wearable app → Start → Confirm on phone and watch
- Install the Galaxy Wearable app from the Galaxy Store or Google Play.
- Open Galaxy Wearable and tap Start.
- Tap Confirm on both your phone and your watch, then follow the on-screen instructions.
Samsung says Galaxy Watch4 and later aren't compatible with iPhone.
Source: Samsung: set up your Galaxy Watch with or without a phone
Google Pixel Watch
Hold the crown 3 seconds → Google Pixel Watch app → match the code → Pair
- Press and hold the crown for about 3 seconds until the screen lights up, and hold the watch near your phone.
- If the phone supports fast pairing, a message appears. Otherwise open the Google Pixel Watch app and select your watch.
- Check the code matches on both screens, then tap Pair.
Google lists compatibility with most phones running Android 10 or newer.
Other Wear OS watches
Wear OS app → Set it up → tap your watch → Pair
- Install the Wear OS app from Google Play and turn the watch on.
- Open Wear OS on the phone and tap Set it up. On the watch, choose a language and accept the terms.
- Follow the phone's instructions until your watch's name appears, tap it, and tap Pair when the codes match.
Wear OS shows Connected when it's done.
If it still won't connect
A Wear OS watch connects to one phone at a time. To use it with a different phone, disconnect it from the current phone first, then reset the watch to factory settings and pair it again. The reset erases the apps, settings and data on the watch.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't my watch pair with my phone?
Check both are charged and Bluetooth is on, and that the watch isn't still connected to another phone. A Wear OS watch pairs with only one phone at a time.
Do I need an app to connect a smartwatch?
Yes. Galaxy Watch uses Galaxy Wearable, Pixel Watch uses the Google Pixel Watch app, and other Wear OS watches use the Wear OS app.