Although most iPhone users might prefer the Apple Watch over the Samsung Watch, some Samsung wearables have supported the iPhone for years. You may connect your iPhone to Samsung Watch not just because Samsung wearables are much cheaper than the Apple Watch, but because they are packed with solid features that make them a powerful alternative.
Some versions of Samsung Watch can work with iPhone while others cannot. For instance, if your iPhone has RAM bigger than 1.5GB and runs on iOS 9.0 or later, it can work with the Galaxy Watch Active 2 and Galaxy Watch 3. iPhone 5 and newer will also work with the Samsung Watch. However, the connection may be unstable with iPhone 6 and 6S+.
The most efficient smartwatches ever launched by Samsung do not work with the iPhone. These are the Galaxy Watch 4 and the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. Samsung restricted many features of these wearables for Samsung smartphones alone. Although Galaxy Watch 4 and the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic have improved health features, processor capabilities, storage, and performance, they are not an option to iPhone users who prefer the Samsung Watch.
I will tell you how to connect your Samsung Watch with your iPhone later in this article. But first, let’s look at the Galaxy wearables that are compatible with the iPhone.
Related: Does Samsung Watch Work With Google pixel?
Galaxy wearables that are compatible with iOS
While some Galaxy wearables are compatible with iOS, the connection between others is unstable and some do not connect at all.
More than ten Galaxy smartwatches are compatible with iOS;
- Galaxy Watch Active, Galaxy Watch Active2
- Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Watch3
- Gear S2, Gear S3
- Gear Sport,
- Galaxy Fit
- Gear Fit2, Gear Fit2 Pro, Gear Live
Some of these Samsung wearables are compatible with iPhone through Bluetooth only. Other Samsung smartwatches require that you install the Galaxy Watch iOS app. Meanwhile, Gear Fit, Gear S, Gear 1, Gear 2, Galaxy Watch 4, and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic do not work with iPhone. They are only compatible with Android phones.
Can I use a Samsung Watch with an iPhone?
You can pair your Samsung Watch with an iPhone. However, you should meet some prerequisites. As I said before, your iPhone should run on iOS 9.0 or later, and you should have an internet connection for downloading the Galaxy Wearable app from the app store.
Samsung wearables have very significant features and benefits. Once connected to your iPhone, you can access several functionalities with your Samsung Watch. For instance, you will be able to make calls, receive text, stream music, and track your health and fitness metrics.
However, some functionalities are locked into iOS and you will not be able to access them on a Samsung Watch. For example, S Health, emails, and replies for iMessage functions are unavailable. In most cases, you will need to reply to messages and emails from your iPhone. That may be particularly disappointing if you rely on email notifications for essential tasks.
Also, Apple’s Siri for voice commands does not work on Samsung Galaxy Watch. Trying to use Siri on your smartwatch will redirect you to your iPhone. Instead, voice commands to your Samsung Watch will be supported by Bixby, Samsung’s AI for voice commands.
Bixby’s intelligence interacts with users through voice, text, and taps, and performs excellently on the Galaxy Watch.
The rotating bezel on Samsung smartwatches allows quick and easy access to Samsung Watch features. Some of these features will require third-party apps to unleash the full potential of your Samsung Watch. Here are some of the fully supported features and apps you can install from the Galaxy store to your Samsung Watch to extend its functionality when connected to the iPhone.
Supported features
- Calls
- Notifications
- Music
- Sleep and fitness tracking
- Heart rate monitor
- PPT controller
You may also want to know how reliable the Samsung Watch electrocardiogram can be. I found out that on average, Samsung Watch ECG can identify and distinguish various types of heart attacks with up to 95% accuracy.
Supported apps
- Facer: The free app offers endless options for customizing your Samsung Watch face.
- Spotify: It allows you to stream and control your favorite playlists on your Samsung Watch.
- Calculator: An essential tool that is worth having in your wrist when budgeting or making purchases.
- Strava: The app records a wide range of your workout data and allows for sharing with other platforms.
- Uber: It syncs with your iPhone’s Uber app to help you call and track a ride and your destination.
Find my Phone: The app will help you call and locate your iPhone if you lose it within the Bluetooth range.
How Do I Connect Samsung Watch With iPhone?
Connecting a compatible Samsung Watch with an iPhone is not difficult. Follow these steps to pair your iPhone to a Samsung Watch.
- Download the Galaxy Wearable app from the App Store to your iPhone
- Open the app
- You will receive a prompt to allow a Bluetooth connection. Tap OK.
- Click on Start the Journey
- The iPhone will scan and find your Galaxy Watch. Tap Connect or Pair to proceed
- Wait for your smartwatch to pair with iPhone
If the connection is successful, your Samsung Watch home screen will appear on your iPhone. From there, you can customize various settings to your preferences. You can change sound and display, change notification settings, music, and more.
Summary
There are more than ten Samsung wearables that work with the iPhone. Others like the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic do not have that option. Although the Apple Watch is the most preferred wearable for the iPhone, Samsung watches are quite affordable and offer very competitive functionalities.
The steps provided in this article will help you connect your Samsung Watch with your iPhone. Once connected, you can extend your watch functionalities by installing third-party apps from the Galaxy Store.
If you find these steps helpful or if you experience any issues with your connection, feel free to leave a comment below.
