Galaxy Watch features and menu names vary by model, software version, phone, carrier and region, so not every tip works on every watch. These 23 practical tips cover verified ways to customize the watch, use gestures and phone integrations, find or secure a lost watch, and understand feature limits.
The current Wear OS interface primarily applies to Galaxy Watch4 and newer; older Tizen watches use different menus. When a setting is not where described, check Galaxy Wearable or your watch’s settings for the equivalent option.
At a glance: feature availability
| Feature group | What to know |
|---|---|
| Wear OS menus | Primarily Galaxy Watch4 and newer; older Tizen models differ. |
| Gestures and buttons | Options vary by model and software; newer models include additional gestures and, on Watch8 and Watch Ultra, button controls. |
| Health Monitor | Requires a compatible Galaxy watch and Samsung phone, and availability is region-dependent. |
| Standalone connectivity | Calls and other independent LTE functions require an LTE watch and an activated carrier plan. |
Customize and navigate your watch
1. Customize a watch face on your wrist
Touch and hold the current watch face, swipe to the face you want, tap Customize, adjust its available style, color or complications, then tap OK or Save. The options depend on the face.
2. Use tiles as a shortcut dashboard
Swipe left from the Home screen to view tiles. To add, remove or reorder them, touch and hold a tile and use Add, or open Galaxy Wearable > Watch settings > Tiles. Recent watches support up to 15 tiles, though some models require managing them in the phone app.
#1 Best Overall
- WHY GALAXY WATCH8: Advanced health and sleep tracking features.* A lighter, more snug design for all day comfort.* Improved user interface.* Personal AI assistant for hands free help.⁴* 2-Year Warranty.
- SLEEP SMARTER. LIVE BETTER: Energize your days with a great night’s rest using Advanced Sleep Coaching¹ - improved with even more ways to keep your nights on track. Plus, Bedtime Guidance² helps you find your optimal bedtime.
- YOUR RUN, YOUR COACH: Step up your running routine with a Running Coach³ that analyzes your performance and gives you real-time feedback. Training for an event? Try specific programs built for 5Ks, marathons and more.
- NEW DESIGN. LIGHTWEIGHT FEEL: Maximize your days with a minimalist design. The sleek, thinner-than-ever silhouette makes Galaxy Watch8 look as good as it functions. With a snug fit and sporty style, it gives you readings without getting in your way.
- A PERSONAL ASSISTANT, RIGHT ON YOUR WRIST: Your Watch just became your personal assistant.⁴ Stay one step ahead of your day with a watch that helps you navigate your tasks and to-do lists.
3. Put frequently used controls in the Quick panel
Swipe down from the top of the watch screen to open the Quick panel. On Wear OS models, edit it in Galaxy Wearable > Watch settings > Advanced features > Edit quick panel. Some older models use Settings > Advanced > Edit quick panel.
4. Keep the last-used app visible
Open Settings > Display > Show last app and choose the time limit. The Display settings also include screen timeout, brightness, notification indicator, font size and touch sensitivity; touch sensitivity can help when wearing gloves.
5. Remap the buttons available on your model
On current Galaxy Watch8 and Watch Ultra software, open Settings > Buttons and gestures. You can assign actions to Home double press or long press and Back short press. Watch8 and Watch Ultra also have a Quick button that can launch an exercise or another feature. Button options differ across models.
6. Try Double pinch for hands-free control
Enable it under Settings > Buttons and gestures > Gestures > Double pinch, or in Galaxy Wearable’s corresponding watch settings. Depending on model and software, it can answer calls, dismiss alarms, control music, launch apps or take photos.
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If supported, turn on Settings > Buttons and gestures > Gestures > Shake to dismiss. Rotating your wrist twice can decline calls and dismiss alerts such as alarms, timers and reminders.
Rank #2
- TRACK HEALTH PATTERNS¹ IN YOUR SLEEP WITH VITALS²: Stay aware of the subtle changes in your body with Vitals¹–it tracks health metrics while you sleep, catches shifts from your usual patterns, and provides tailored guidance based on the insights.²
- A PERSONALIZED COACH FOR YOUR FITNESS GOALS: Whether you're building endurance for a long trek or training to build muscle, Fitness Index³ delivers tailored guidance based on your fitness level goals. Finally, train smarter with your fitness watch.
- EVERYDAY AI ASSISTANCE, SIMPLIFIED: With the Galaxy Watch9, you can just raise your wrist, start talking naturally and get instant AI assistance⁴—no wake phrase needed. This smart watch won’t slow you down.
- ONE PERSONALIZED SCORE TO KNOW YOUR HEART BETTER: Instead of checking multiple metrics separately, track the single Heart Health Score⁵ based on sleep time, BMI, activity and vascular load to stay aware of your wellness.
- TRACK YOUR NIGHTS. OWN YOUR DAYS: Galaxy Watch9 gives you personalized recommendations and habit-building guidance with Advanced Sleep Coaching.⁶ Plus, Bedtime Guidance⁷ helps you find your optimal bedtime so you can wake up feeling refreshed.
8. Use Knock knock to launch a feature
On supported watches, enable Settings > Buttons and gestures > Gestures > Knock knock. Make a fist and bend your wrist in a knocking motion; the available assigned actions depend on the watch.
9. Use Camera Controller as a remote viewfinder
Open Camera Controller on the watch to launch the connected Galaxy phone’s camera. Tap Capture for a photo. For video, switch the phone to Video mode before tapping Record. Flick up to switch between front and rear cameras; timer and gallery controls may also be available. Some phone camera modes are incompatible.
10. Assign an assistant to Home-button press and hold
Open Settings > Buttons and gestures > Press and hold, then choose Bixby, Google Assistant or the Power off menu where available. Alexa can be used as an app, but Samsung says it cannot be assigned to the watch button.
11. Use Gemini on supported newer watches
Galaxy Watch8 and Watch8 Classic ship with One UI 8 and include Gemini as the assistant selected during setup. On supported software, assistant options are under Settings > Google > Assistant, including Hey Google, Press & hold and Speech output.
12. Restore a Bixby shortcut if an update removes it
Samsung notes that some software updates install a newer Bixby version, rearrange the Apps screen and remove the Bixby shortcut. If your watch face supports shortcuts, touch and hold the face, tap Customize and add Bixby to an available slot.
Rank #3
- WHY GALAXY WATCH8: Advanced health and sleep tracking features.* A lighter, more snug design for all day comfort.* Improved user interface.* Personal AI assistant for hands free help.⁴* 2-Year Warranty.
- SLEEP SMARTER. LIVE BETTER: Energize your days with a great night’s rest using Advanced Sleep Coaching¹ - improved with even more ways to keep your nights on track. Plus, Bedtime Guidance² helps you find your optimal bedtime.
- YOUR RUN, YOUR COACH: Step up your running routine with a Running Coach³ that analyzes your performance and gives you real-time feedback. Training for an event? Try specific programs built for 5Ks, marathons and more.
- NEW DESIGN. LIGHTWEIGHT FEEL: Maximize your days with a minimalist design. The sleek, thinner-than-ever silhouette makes Galaxy Watch8 look as good as it functions. With a snug fit and sporty style, it gives you readings without getting in your way.
- A PERSONAL ASSISTANT, RIGHT ON YOUR WRIST: Your Watch just became your personal assistant.⁴ Stay one step ahead of your day with a watch that helps you navigate your tasks and to-do lists.
Find, secure and protect your watch
13. Make a misplaced watch ring
In Galaxy Wearable, tap Find my watch to open Samsung Find. Select the watch and tap Ring or Refresh. Depending on setup, you may also see its location and options such as Notify when left behind.
14. Set up offline finding in advance
SmartThings Find requires the watch to be powered on and connected through Galaxy Wearable using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or LTE. In SmartThings Find, enable the watch in device-finding settings and turn on Offline finding where available. A powered-off watch generally shows only its last known location.
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From SmartThings Find or the Samsung Find website, select the watch and choose Lock or Erase data. Erasing permanently removes data, so use it only when recovery seems unlikely.
16. Set a screen lock before using Samsung Wallet
Open the watch’s security settings and choose a pattern or PIN. Samsung Wallet requires a security lock. Depending on the model, lock options can include Hide information, Wrist detection and Auto factory reset, which resets the watch after 20 failed unlock attempts.
17. Configure Emergency SOS and medical information
In Galaxy Wearable, open Watch settings > Safety and emergency. Add medical information and emergency contacts, configure Emergency SOS, select an emergency number, and review location or information-sharing options.
Rank #4
- WHY GALAXY WATCH8 CLASSIC: Timeless design.* New lug system for easy band detachment & replacement.* Advanced health & sleep tracking features for total body wellness.* Improved user interface.* Personal AI assistant for hands free help.¹* 2-Yr Warranty
- BUILT TO PERFORM. DESIGNED TO IMPRESS: Show off your style with an iconic design that blends tradition with cutting-edge innovation.¹ A brighter screen makes everything easy to see, and a rotating bezel gives you access to your favorite apps
- YOUR EVERY COMMAND, RIGHT ON YOUR WRIST: Get a little extra help with day-to-day tasks. Galaxy Watch 8 Classic features a personal AI assistant¹ that helps you get things done hands-free. Simply speak the command and your Watch makes it happen
- UNLOCK THE SECRETS TO BETTER SLEEP: When you get good sleep, it feels like anything is possible. Start each day with more energy and better focus using Advanced Sleep Coaching² - improved with even more ways to help you sleep smarter
- QUICK UPDATES, AT A GLANCE: Get updates, select apps and more with Now Bar³,⁴ and an improved user experience. Now Bar conveniently puts the info you use the most - like weather, news and more - right on your main Watch screen
18. Enable hard-fall detection and review its behavior
In Galaxy Wearable > Watch settings > Safety and emergency > Hard fall detection, choose when to detect falls, whether a swipe is required before calling, the emergency number and whether to play a warning sound. Options differ among Watch4, Watch5/6 and newer models.
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19. Use the Galaxy Watch Ultra siren
On Watch Ultra, enable Siren through Galaxy Wearable > Watch settings > Buttons and gestures > Siren, or on the watch. Press and hold the Quick button to activate it. After 10 seconds, the volume increases and an Emergency SOS prompt appears.
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20. Check Energy Score on supported watches
On Watch7 and Watch Ultra, open Samsung Health > Energy score > Show on phone and complete setup on the phone. Samsung says the score considers factors including sleep, blood oxygen, snoring time, skin temperature and heart rate; it becomes more useful after several days of data, including sleep.
21. Check phone compatibility before relying on Health Monitor
Samsung Health Monitor requires a compatible Galaxy watch and Samsung phone; Samsung says it is not available on iPhones or other Android phones. The phone generally needs Android 12 or later, and supported features depend on the country or region.
22. Treat regulated health features as region- and device-dependent
ECG, blood pressure, irregular-rhythm notifications and sleep-apnea features are not ordinary fitness readings. Availability depends on the watch, phone, app version, country and regional authorization. In the United States, Samsung says Health Monitor requires a Galaxy Watch and compatible Galaxy smartphone; service can become unavailable after a phone reset or app reinstall while traveling in a non-service region.
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23. Use an LTE watch without your phone only with an active plan
LTE Galaxy Watches can make and receive calls, send messages, stream music and podcasts, use navigation, access Gemini, control SmartThings devices, track workouts and use Samsung Wallet without the phone nearby. Standalone use requires an LTE model and carrier activation; Bluetooth-only models do not provide it.
FAQ
Do all Galaxy Watches have the same gestures?
No. Double pinch, Shake to dismiss, Knock knock and Quick-button controls depend on the model and software version.
Can I use Samsung Health Monitor with any Android phone?
No. Samsung requires a compatible Galaxy watch and Samsung phone, and feature availability also depends on the region.
Can Camera Controller use every camera mode?
No. Some phone camera modes are incompatible. Use the controls available in Camera Controller for your connected phone and watch.
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No. Finding depends on power, connectivity, account setup, permissions and whether relevant finding options were enabled. A powered-off watch generally provides only its last known location.
Can I use an LTE Galaxy Watch without activating service?
Standalone LTE functions require an LTE model and an activated carrier plan. A Bluetooth-only watch cannot connect independently in this way.
Quick Recap
Sources
- Samsung Support: Customize a watch face, Manage tiles, Edit the Quick panel and Display settings.
- Samsung Support: Buttons and gestures, Camera Controller, Assistant settings and Bixby after software updates.
- Samsung Support: Find, lock or erase a watch, SmartThings Find and offline finding, Watch security lock and Safety and emergency settings.
- Samsung Support: Galaxy Watch Ultra Siren, Energy Score, Samsung Health Monitor compatibility and LTE watch support.
- Samsung Newsroom: Blood pressure monitoring availability and Galaxy Watch LTE capabilities.
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