Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
No—the Galaxy S21 cannot measure your heart rate on its own. The Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra and S21 FE do not include a dedicated heart-rate sensor. Samsung Health is available on the phones, but it can show readings collected by a compatible Galaxy Watch or another supported source; the app does not turn the phone into a pulse monitor.
Does this apply to every Galaxy S21 model?
Yes. Samsung’s specification sheets for the Galaxy S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra and the Galaxy S21 FE list Samsung Health but do not list a heart-rate sensor in the phone. That means none of these models can take a direct heart-rate reading by itself.
| Model | Measures heart rate with its own hardware? | Can display compatible-device readings in Samsung Health? |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S21 5G | No | Yes |
| Galaxy S21+ 5G | No | Yes |
| Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | No | Yes |
| Galaxy S21 FE 5G | No | Yes |
Why does Samsung Health have a heart-rate section?
Samsung Health is a place to collect, organize and review health and activity information. Its heart-rate category does not mean that every phone running the app has the hardware to measure a pulse. Samsung explains that heart-rate readings can come from a compatible Galaxy Watch’s sensor and appear in Samsung Health on the connected phone (Samsung’s heart-rate support explanation).
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsIn other words, the S21 can serve as the screen and record-keeping hub while a wearable does the sensing. Heart-rate history already visible on an S21 could have been synced from a watch, entered manually or carried over from earlier Samsung Health records; it is not evidence that the phone captured the reading.
#1 Best Overall
- Display: 6.2" AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and 1300 nits brightness for vivid visuals and smooth scrolling.
- Camera: Rear dual camera system with 64MP main and 12MP ultrawide lenses for stunning photos and videos.
- Memory: 128GB internal storage and 8GB RAM for plenty of apps and files.
- Connectivity: 5G capable with support for GSM, CDMA, and Wi-Fi networks.
- Battery: 4000mAh battery provides all-day power for your daily needs.
How to use a Galaxy Watch with an S21
A compatible Galaxy Watch is the most direct way to add Samsung-integrated heart-rate tracking without replacing the phone. Exact controls vary by watch generation, app version, language and region, but the general setup is:
- Install or update Galaxy Wearable and Samsung Health on the S21.
- Pair the watch through Galaxy Wearable and confirm it shows as connected.
- Wear the watch snugly enough for its sensor to maintain good contact with your skin.
- Start an on-demand reading using the watch’s heart-rate control, or the measurement option available for that watch and software.
- Open Samsung Health on the phone and allow time for the watch to sync. Look in the heart-rate section or tile for the recorded data.
Samsung’s watch and phone support information describes Samsung Health and Galaxy Wearable as part of the connection. Compatibility and feature availability depend on the specific watch, phone software and region. For example, Samsung says its Galaxy Watch8 works with Samsung Galaxy phones running Android 12 or later, but that does not guarantee that every watch feature is available in every country.
Rank #2
- The Galaxy S21 FE sports a sleek polycarbonate back with a premium matte finish that resists fingerprints and feels smooth in hand, giving it a stylish yet practical design.
What can the S21 do in Samsung Health without a heart-rate sensor?
The S21 can still run Samsung Health for functions such as activity and exercise records, step counts, and manually logged food or water. It can also display or organize data supplied by a connected device, potentially including heart rate, sleep, blood oxygen or other supported records. Which categories and measurements are available depends on the app version, permissions, connected device and region.
Keep the source of each kind of information in mind: some records may be generated by the phone, some are entered by you, and others are measured by a watch or another device and imported into the app. Samsung Health’s presence on the S21 does not mean that the phone itself measures every item shown there.
Rank #3
- This pre-owned product has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon qualified vendors.
- This product is in "Excellent condition". The screen and body show no signs of cosmetic damage visible from 12 inches away.
- This product will have a battery that exceeds 80% capacity relative to new.
Heart rate is not ECG, blood pressure or an AFib diagnosis
A heart-rate reading is a pulse-rate measurement. An ECG records electrical activity of the heart; it is a different function and not something the S21 can perform by itself. Samsung Health Monitor features such as ECG, blood-pressure functions or irregular-heart-rhythm notifications require compatible watch hardware and software, and their availability can depend on country, device, software and user eligibility.
Samsung’s U.S. instructions for irregular-heart-rhythm notification describe a compatible Galaxy Watch and phone, not an S21-only measurement. Samsung also publishes a country availability list for Samsung Health Monitor features. Check the current local requirements for the specific watch and feature rather than assuming that a capability shown in a video or another country’s app is available to you.
Rank #4
- This Phone Is Unlocked And Compatible With Any Carrier Of Choice On Gsm And Cdma Networks (E.G. At&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, Us Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, Etc.).
- When You Receive The Phone, Insert A Sim Card From A Compatible Carrier. Then, Turn It On, Connect To Wi-Fi, And Follow The On Screen Prompts To Activate Service.
- The Device Does Not Come With Headphones Or A Sim Card. It Does Include A Charger And Charging Cable That May Be Generic.
- Tested For Battery Health And Assured To Have A Minimum Battery Capacity Of 80%.
Consumer watch readings and notifications are not a substitute for medical assessment. A normal pulse number or lack of an alert cannot rule out a heart problem. If you have concerning symptoms or receive a result that worries you, contact a health professional; seek urgent care for severe or acute symptoms.
If the heart-rate option is missing
If you are using only the S21, a missing measurement control is expected: no hidden setting or software update can add a sensor the phone does not have. If a compatible watch is paired but readings are absent, try these checks:
Best Value
- Android 11 | One UI 3.1 | Octa-core | 128GB | 8GB | Adreno 660
- Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ display | Gorilla Glass | 6.7 inches | 1080 x 2400
- Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band| GPS | Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Bluetooth 5.0 | USB Type-C 3.2
- 12 MP Camera | LED Flash | 1080p | Speaker
- 6.36 x 2.98 x 0.31 | 7.05oz | Single SIM | GSM, HSPA, LTE, CDMA
- Make sure Bluetooth is on and Galaxy Wearable shows the watch as connected.
- Open Samsung Health and give it time to synchronize.
- Update Samsung Health, Galaxy Wearable and the watch’s software.
- Check that the watch is being worn correctly and that its sensor contacts your skin.
- Restart both devices. If connection problems continue, unpair and pair the watch again.
- For ECG, blood-pressure or irregular-rhythm functions, check that the particular feature is supported for your watch, software and region.
Menu names and measurement options can change, so use the current controls for your watch rather than relying on a fixed phone menu path.
Alternatives if you need a heart-rate reading
| Option | Best fit | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Compatible Galaxy Watch | Samsung Health integration, ongoing tracking and workout records | Extra cost, charging, fit and compatibility requirements; availability of advanced functions varies. |
| Chest-strap monitor | Exercise-focused users who prioritize responsive heart-rate tracking | Requires a compatible app or device and is less convenient for everyday or sleep tracking. |
| Fingertip pulse oximeter | Occasional spot checks without a smartwatch | Purpose-built for spot measurements rather than continuous wearable history; product quality varies. |
| Manual pulse check | A no-cost, occasional check if you know the technique | Not continuous and less convenient than an automatic monitor. |
| Camera-based phone app | Curiosity or a rough, optional estimate without extra hardware | Not a native Samsung feature; results can vary with movement, lighting, finger contact, temperature and app quality. It is not a medical replacement. |
If you want Samsung Health integration and ongoing tracking, a compatible Galaxy Watch is the straightforward route. If you only need occasional pulse checks, a reputable purpose-built device may be a more economical choice. Do not choose a phone upgrade solely to gain heart-rate measurement: for the S21, the practical fix is a separate measuring device, not an app setting.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →
