Smartwatch to phone · Connect guide
How to connect a smartwatch to your phone
Sources checked · how we check
Smartwatches pair through their maker's phone app, not straight from the Bluetooth menu. Install the right app for your watch, turn the watch on and follow the pairing prompts on both screens. For Apple Watch, see the Apple Watch 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.
- Turn on the watch by pressing and holding the Home key.
- Open Galaxy Wearable and tap Start, then tap Confirm on both the phone and the watch.
- Follow the on-screen instructions. You'll be asked to sign in to your Samsung account and Google Account if you haven't already.
Samsung says Galaxy Watch4 and later models aren't compatible with iPhone. Older models such as Galaxy Watch3 use different setup steps.
Source: Samsung: set up your Galaxy Watch with or without a phone
Google Pixel Watch
Hold the crown 3 seconds → pairing message or Google Pixel Watch app → Pair
- Press and hold the crown for about 3 seconds until the screen lights up, and place the watch near your phone with Bluetooth on.
- If the phone supports fast pairing, a message appears to start pairing. Otherwise, open the Google Pixel Watch app and select your watch.
- A pairing code shows on the phone and the watch. If the codes match, tap Pair. It can take a few minutes.
Google lists compatibility with most phones running Android 10 or newer.
Other Wear OS watches
Wear OS app → Set it up → tap your watch → match the code → Pair
- Install the Wear OS app from Google Play, then turn on the watch.
- On the phone, open Wear OS and tap Set it up. On the watch, choose your language and accept the terms.
- On the phone, follow the instructions until you find your watch's name, then tap it.
- If the pairing codes on the phone and watch are the same, tap Pair on the phone. When it's done, Wear OS shows Connected.
If it still won't connect
A Wear OS watch connects to only one phone at a time. To move it to 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
Can I connect a Galaxy Watch to an iPhone?
Not a Galaxy Watch4 or later. Samsung says Wear OS Galaxy Watch models aren't compatible with iOS devices.
How do I connect my watch to a new phone?
Google says a Wear OS watch connects to one phone at a time, so you need to reset the watch to factory settings before pairing it with the new phone. The reset erases the watch's apps and data.